Wicked Whisper Takes Frizette in Wire-to-Wire Fashion
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Photo: Coglianese Photos/Susie Raisher
Wicked Whisper wins the Frizette Stakes at Belmont Park
Her name may be Wicked Whisper, but Alex and JoAnn Leiblong's 2-year-old filly made a rather loud statement Oct. 6 at Belmont Park.
The daughter of Liam's Map grabbed the lead at the start of the $400,000 Frizette Stakes (G1) for 2-year-old fillies and didn't stop running until she was in California.
Figuratively, of course.
By virtue of her frontrunning 2 3/4-length victory in the Breeders' Cup challenge stakes, the Steve Asmussen trainee earned a expense-paid spot in the $2 million Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) Nov. 1 at Santa Anita Park.
"We're going to enjoy the moment," assistant trainer Toby Sheets said when asked about the Breeders' Cup. "One thing at a time."
After covering a one-turn mile in 1:35.92, Wicked Whisper will be asked to travel around two turns at a 1 1/16-mile distance at the World Championships, but Sheets does not believe that will be a major issue for the fleet filly.
"She finished great," he said. "I don't see a problem at all with two turns."
The Frizette was just Wicked Whisper's second start, coming on the heels of a sizzling 6 1/4-length score in a six-furlong maiden race Aug. 25 at Saratoga Race Course.
"She's classy," Sheets said.
Fast, too.
Jockey Joel Rosario took Wicked Whisper right to the front as she skipped along on a clear lead over 10-1 shot Miss Marissa through half-mile fractions of :22.91 and :46.49.
The $500,000 yearling purchase was ahead by two lengths at the quarter pole when Frank Fletcher Racing Operations' Frank's Rockette emerged as her lone challenger.
Second in both the Spinaway Stakes (G1) and Adirondack Stakes (G2) for trainer Bill Mott, Frank's Rockette moved to within two lengths of Wicked Whisper at the eighth pole but lost ground in the final furlong.
Sent off as the 5-2 second choice, Wicked Whisper paid $7.90.
"Every time I asked her, she was there for me. It was her first time going a mile, so you just want something for the last part. She responded and just kept going. The more I asked, the more she was going. She looks like she's real spirited and looking around and enjoying herself," Rosario said.
Frank's Rockette, a daughter of Into Mischief , was clear by 3 1/4 lengths over third-place finisher Slam Dunk, an Into Mischief filly owned by Magic Cap Stables.
"She was real aggressive the first part of the race, and I decided to stay there and lay fourth. I just sat there on the outside and made one run with her, and she ran really well. The other horse just got the better of us," said John Velazquez, who rode Frank's Rockette.
Wicked Whisper was bought by the Lieblongs from the Taylor Made Sales Agency consignment at the Keeneland September Yearling Sale.
Last year's Frizette was won by Rosario and Jaywalk, who went on to capture the Juvenile Fillies en route to an Eclipse Award as the champion 2-year-old filly.