Frosted / NYRA Photo

Saratoga Race Course Notes - 8/7/16

by NYRA Press Office

Saratoga Race Course Notes - 8/7/16

Plenty of options ahead for impressive G1 Whitney winner Frosted
Lady Eli 'very much on target' for G2 Ballston Spa return
Ward looking to strike gold with Silvertoni
Hot City Girl pointed towards Union Avenue; Modest Maven readies for debut
Upstart emerges from Whitney in good order; possible to join stablemate Samraat in G1 Woodward
Aspen Hilltop works toward first race for Contessa
Veteran field set for Wednesday's Birdstone

A decade after guiding Invasor through an undefeated campaign that would ultimately land him in racing's Hall of Fame, trainer Kiaran McLaughlin is enjoying a similar kind of ride with his current stable star.

Godolphin Racing's Frosted further solidified his credentials as the leading older horse on the East Coast with an impressive victory in Saturday's Grade 1, $1.25 million Whitney, a command performance eight weeks after his record-setting triumph in the Grade 1 Metropolitan Handicap.

The 4-year-old son of Tapit was bright and happy Sunday morning following the Whitney, his third win from four starts this year, sixth in 17 for his career and third in Grade 1 company, pushing his lifetime bankroll to $3,852,800. 

"He came out of the race excellent. That's him. He's very happy. He's a star. It makes our job easy," McLaughlin said. "It was a great race yesterday, and it's great to be in the winner's circle with Marylou Whitney."

Frosted made it look easy in the 1 1/8-mile Whitney, cruising on the lead through six furlongs in a sparkling 1:09.65 before effortlessly pulling away in the stretch under Joel Rosario to win by two lengths.

"You hear 1:09 and change and you get a little nervous, and then you look and see how easy he's doing it and he's in a good rhythm and Joel hasn't moved on him," McLaughlin said. "If he was there doing it that way, Joel had a lot of horse."

The Whitney earned Frosted an all-fees-paid trip to Santa Anita for the Grade 1, $6 million Breeders' Cup Classic at 1 ¼ miles November 5. He had already qualified for a berth in the Grade 1, $1 million BC Dirt Mile for his Met Mile victory at Belmont Park June 11.

"We always were thinking Classic anyway, because Santa Anita is a two-turn mile. A one-turn mile would be different," McLaughlin said, "but the way he ran yesterday on the lead maybe the mile's OK at Santa Anita because he's forwardly placed. We'll just see, but most likely he'll stay long."

McLaughlin said his options before then include the Grade 1, $600,000 Woodward September 3 at Saratoga and/or the Grade 1, $1 million Jockey Club Gold Cup October 8 at Belmont Park. The Woodward is run at 1 1/8 miles, and the Gold Cup is contested at the Classic's 1 ¼-mile distance.

"Obviously the Breeders' Cup is the main goal," he said. "Coming from the Breeders' Cup backwards, we could run in both of those races, one of those races or neither. I'll talk to Jimmy Bell and John Ferguson and they'll talk to the boss, Sheikh Mohammed, and see what their ideas are."

In 2006, Invasor won the Whitney and missed a scheduled start in the Gold Cup before winning the Breeders' Cup Classic to clinch champion older male and Horse of the Year honors.

"We were going to run in the Jockey Gold Cup but he got a temperature," McLaughlin said. "This time it would be different circumstances. It's nice because it's all weight-for-age, each race. We don't have to give a lot of weight away."

Invasor was retired in 2007 after capturing the Group 1 Dubai World Cup, finishing with 11 wins from 12 lifetime starts and earnings of $7.8 million. He won all six of his races for McLaughlin after coming over from his native Argentina, where he swept the 2005 Triple Crown. He was elected to the Hall of Fame in 2013.

"I hope that I can say that [Frosted is] the best horse I've ever trained. I always say Invasor is, and it's tough to top that," McLaughlin said. "But, if he keeps going and maybe wins the Breeders' Cup Classic, we can go from there. But, he is up there. They're 1 and 1A."

McLaughlin said Godolphin's stakes winner Kareena emerged well from her loss in Saturday's Grade 1 Test, where she dueled Off the Tracks through hot early fractions before fading to sixth behind 55-1 long shot Paola Queen in her graded stakes debut.

"She's fine," he said. "It's just a shame that they decided to go with us so fast. [A half-mile in] 43 and two, no one can hold up to that. That was too bad, but she was OK out of the race. I'm not sure what's next. Obviously the Prioress is at the end of the meet. It's there, but we'll just see how she's doing."

The Grade 2, $300,000 Prioress for 3-year-old fillies at six furlongs will be run on closing Sunday, September 4. 

*         *         *

Trainer Chad Brown reported that the undefeated Lady Eli is right on course for her expected return in the Grade 2, $400,000 Ballston Spa on August 27 at Saratoga following a five-furlong breeze Sunday morning.

Under regular exercise rider Walter Malasquez, Lady Eli worked over the Oklahoma turf course in company with Grade 1 Beverly D.-bound Sea Calisi, with jockey Florent Geroux aboard. New York Racing Associations clockers caught the pair in splits of :12 1/5 seconds, :24 1/5, and :36 4/5. Hitting the wire together, the duo completed the move in 1:00 1/5 and galloped out six furlongs in 1:13 1/5.

"[She's] very much on target from what I saw today," said Brown. "So long as she doesn't have any setbacks, knock on wood, she's right on target for the Ballston Spa. We're looking forward to running her."

This was the 4-year-old Lady Eli's second local work since arriving from Belmont Park in late July. Owned by Sheep Pond Partners, the Divine Park filly was a towering presence in her class in her 2- and 3-year-old seasons, unrivaled in six straight victories including the 2014 Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf.

According to Brown, Lady Eli is nearing the end of a long road to recovery from laminitis that has kept her sidelined for more than 13 months following her 2 ¾-length victory in the Grade 1 Belmont Oaks in July of 2015.

"It's remarkable what she's accomplished but it's not surprising, because it's her," Brown said. "Being around this horse all this time, since she was 2, I've learned her personality, how incredibly talented she is, how tough she is, physically and mentally. 

"Lady Eli is made of steel, really, when you think about it. I'm a fan of hers along with being her trainer," he continued. "It's great to see her go out there and, to me, be back on top in her works. I don't know if I've ever seen her work as well as I what I just saw. I think that's rewarding for the large team of people that worked with this horse to get her where she is today. She's a remarkable horse, but she's had some help along the way, from a lot of talented people who put in a lot of overtime to attend to her every need and, as you saw today, it's paying off."

Brown stated that 2015 Champion Grass Horse Big Blue Kitten has developed a foot abscess in recent days and will be forced to miss Saturday's Grade 1 Arlington Million.

"As of this morning, it looks doubtful that he'll be able to make the trip to Arlington," he said. "It looks like something he'll be able to get over in time and be OK, but the timing's terrible."

Despite the setback, Brown has enjoyed a banner meet so far at Saratoga. Brown took the top spot over Todd Pletcher in the trainer standings with three winners on Friday. He added four wins on Saturday, including stakes victories in the Grade 3 Fasig-Tipton Waya and Fasig-Tipton Lure, bringing his total wins to 17 going into Sunday's card,

"It's very rewarding, especially on Whitney Day, to win four races at Saratoga," said Brown of the achievement. "It's a very special day we won't forget, but the next morning, it's back to work. It's a whole other card today and other challenges we face training horses every day, so great day but, as always, we're looking forward now." 

*         *         *

Saturday's Grade 2, $200,000 Adirondack, the second of three juvenile filly races at the Spa, tends to be overshadowed by its splashier counterparts, the Grade 3 Schuylerville on Opening Day and the Grade 1 Spinaway on September 3 during closing weekend.

It is part of the reason why trainer Wesley Ward is eyeing the 6 ½-furlong race for his stakes-winning Silvertoni, a $230,000 purchase at the Keeneland September yearling sales in 2015.

"The middle races - the Adirondack and [Sunday's Grade 2 Saratoga Special] sometimes are the easiest of the three because the best ones are pointing to the Spinaway, which is too close," said Ward, who has Silvertoni nominated to both of this weekend's stakes. "It's a way to pick up a graded stakes win, with maybe a little bit easier competition."

Silvertoni, who carries the colors of Silverton Hill, LLC, launched her career in April at Keeneland, zipping to a front-running two-length victory in a 4 ½-furlong maiden race. She next took on the boys in the five-furlong Kentucky Juvenile on May 5 at Churchill Downs, and again scored by two, covering the distance in :58 3/5.

"I got her in November, and she's a lovely filly," said Ward. "You can ship her anywhere, she's absolutely no problem." 

In June, the gray daughter of Tapit was one of seven horses brought to England by Ward, who in 2009 became the first American-based trainer to win at Royal Ascot. While Ward picked up his seventh win at the prestigious meet when Lady Aurelia took the Group 2 Queen Mary, he was not so fortunate with Silvertoni. The "big filly with a long stride" got bogged down in the soggy going and finished ninth in the Group 2 Coventry.

"She's done well since then," said Ward. "Shipping to England is like shipping to California; it doesn't take anything out of them. She breezed here a couple of days ago [four rulongs in 47.05 seconds on August 25] and she did really well."

Also pointing to the Adirondack, which will celebrate its 100th running Saturday, are Dial Me, Ever So Clever, Kathleen Elizabeth, Libby's Tail, Nonna Mela, and Southern Perfection. 

*         *         *

Hot City Girl is targeting the $100,000 Union Avenue for New York-bred fillies on August 18, trainer Linda Rice said on Sunday morning. The City Zip chestnut filly, who won the 2015 Grade 3 Charles Town Oaks and came in second in the Grade 1 La Brea, has finished off the board just once in her last six starts and posted a third-place showing in the Dancin Renee on July 3 at Belmont Park.

"It's going to take us a little while to get her going again, so we're hoping we can get her back in form," Rice said.

Daisy Cutter is being pointed towards the $100,000 Saratoga Dew for New York-bred fillies on August 15, Rice said. Tic Stables' 4-year-old last breezed on July 27 when she clocked five furlongs in 1:01.90 on Saratoga's main track. She will be making her first start since finishing fourth against allowance company on July 13 at Belmont.

Modest Maven, the $1 million Fasig-Tipton 2-year-old topper, is moving closer to her debut after breezing six furlongs in 1:13.88 on Friday. Owned by Chester and Mary Broman, Modest Maven could race at the Spa later this month. Modest Maven was one of three juveniles by leading sophomore sire Uncle Mo to bring seven figures at auction in 2016.

"We're thinking of [entering] her in a race on the 21st, we're not sure if we'll make it but it's where we are pointed," Rice said. 

*         *         *

Upstart, who nosed out Effinex to finish third behind Frosted and Comfort in the Grade 1 Whitney, emerged from the race in fine fettle, trainer Rick Violette, Jr.reported Sunday morning.

"He came out of it good, tired but good. He ran hard. We tried to win it," Violette said. "We intended in being aggressive getting out of there, and we looked like we were going to be in the lead - which was not really in the plans - but we needed to be a little more aggressive. If we had ridden conservatively, maybe we would have been second. It might have cost us a placing, but he ran well."

The 4-year-old clashed with the best last year, having tangled with Triple Crown winner American Pharoah three times, finishing 18th in the Kentucky Derby, third in the Grade 1 Haskell, and fourth behind Keen Ice, American Pharoah and Frosted in the Grade 1 Travers.

This year, the son of Flatter won the Grade 3 Razorback Handicap at Oaklawn Park and just prior to the Whitney was third to Frosted in that one's record-setting victory in the Grade 1 Metropolitan Handicap.

Violette said the Grade 1 Woodward on September 3 could be under consideration for the Ralph Evans and WinStar Farm color-bearer.

"We'll nominate and monitor him," said Violette. "We were thinking the Woodward [before the Whitney] but he ran awfully hard, so four weeks might be a bit quick for him."

Violette added that the 1 1/8-mile Woodward is the next target for My Meadowview Farm's Samraat, most recently second to Effinex in the Grade 2 Suburban Handicap.

"We had to skip a race, either the Whitney or the Woodward, and the Woodward might set him up better for the fall," he said.

*         *         *

Trained Gary Contessa is anxious to see what this year's 2-year-olds will do in Saratoga, particularly Aspen Hilltop, a $350,000 purchase at the Keeneland September yearling sales.

Owned by Lee Pokoik, the Bernardini filly has been stabled at the Spa since June, with seven timed workouts including a five-furlong breeze in 1:01.98 on Wednesday over the training track.

"I have a couple of good 2-year-olds we haven't seen yet that could make the meet for us," he said. "Aspen Hilltop has been training very well, and hopefully can deliver once we get her into a race."

*         *         *

An experienced six-horse field will compete in Wednesday's $100,000 Birdstone for 3-year-olds and up at Saratoga Race Course.

Kid Cruz is the lone multiple graded stakes winner in the field, including a victory in the Grade 3 Excelsior on April 9 at Aqueduct. The Linda Rice-trained 5-year-old has registered Beyer Speed Figures of 90 or greater in seven consecutive starts, including three efforts that garnered triple digits.

The son of Lemon Drop Kid, who won the 2013 Grade 3 Dwyer before a third-place effort in the Grade 2 Jim Dandy and a fourth in the Grade 1 Travers, will now look to test himself in the 1 ¾-mile course leaving from post 3 with Irad Ortiz, Jr. in the irons. It will mark the longest distance of Kid Cruz's 22 career starts.

"The distance is a bit of an unknown for us, but it's the best option we have in front of us right now, so we'll give it a try," Rice said. "It'll be an odd race. Where is the pace coming from? It's hard to know who can actually go the distance. He likes to close in fast fractions, but who knows that fractions will be at this [distance]? We'll give it a go."

Trainer Gary Contessa has a pair of veterans, including Turco Bravo, who will be looking for class relief following a sixth-place finish in the Grade 2 Suburban Handicap on July 9 at Belmont Park. The 7-year-old chestnut gelding has won two stakes races this year, notching victories in the Flat Out on May 15 and the Stymie on March 13. 

Turco Bravo, owned by Winning Move Stable, has experience at the distance in finishing second to Tacticus in last year's Birdstone. He has continued his prodigious workload as he makes his eighth start of the year and 53rd of a career that started in Chile. Turco Bravo will exit post 5 with Javier Castellano aboard.

"He's had the best year of his life and he's just doing great; he's coming into this race right and we know the mile and three-quarters works for him," Contessa said. "Hopefully all the pegs fall in place and we get a good trip but I couldn't have a more right horse for a more right race at any given time."

In two meetings with Kid Cruz, Turco Bravo came in second in the Grade 2 Brooklyn on June 11, with Kid Cruz coming in seventh. In the Excelsior, Turco Bravo came in third behind Kid Cruz and Madefromlucky. Contessa said Turco Bravo's four-furlong breeze in 49.56 seconds on Thursday has him excited for the rematch.

"Kid Cruz, when he delivers his 'A' race, he is very tough," Contessa said. "He beat us handily one day and the next time we beat him handily, so we'll see what happens. He came out of [training] super. When I looked at my watch, I couldn't believe he went that [fast] on this deep track. He handled it well and it was a good day for him."

Old Time Hockey, Contessa's 7-year-old, will leave from the rail with Ricardo Santana, Jr. in the irons. The Martin Harrigan-owned chestnut gelding has made 28 of his 39 career starts on turf, but Contessa said he decided on the quick turnaround from his previous start on July 24 because of the distance.

"He's a distance horse; he's a turf horse who can run on the dirt," Contessa said. "We thought it would be a good spot for him. He has speed and the game plan is for Old Time Hockey to be gunning on the lead and if anyone wants to challenge him, they'll have to get passed him early."

Desvelo, trained by Kelly Rubley, is returning to stakes company after finishing seventh in an allowance race on June 3 at Pimlico. Looking for his first win since 2015, Desvelo drew post 2 with Manny Franco aboard.

Rounding out the field are Indycott, who has the outside post position with Jose Ortiz set to ride, and Lideris, seeking his first win since 2014 in leaving post 4 in tandem with Dylan Davis.