Frosted, Other NY-Based BC Contenders Work

A key group of Breeders' Cup candidates readied for their respective assignments next weekend at their New York bases the morning of Oct. 23, led by Godolphin Racing's Frosted, who fired a half-mile bullet at Greentree Training Center near Saratoga Race Course in his final breeze ahead of the Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I).

The 3-year-old Tapit   colt earned an official time of :47 for the move and galloped out in a solid :59 2/5, according to his trainer Kiaran McLaughlin, who added that all systems are a "go" for next Saturday's Classic at Keeneland.

"He'll ship from Greentree on Monday and should arrive Tuesday morning. He couldn't be doing any better," he said.

Frosted, winner of the TwinSpires.com Wood Memorial (gr. I) this spring at Aqueduct Race Track, has finished behind Triple Crown winner American Pharoah thrice this year, including a second-place finish behind the champion in his history-clinching sweep of the Belmont Stakes (gr. I) in June.

McLaughlin, for his part, is optimistic about Frosted's chances to turn the tables on his rival on racing's world stage.

"Thinking about the race with my handicapper hat on, American Pharaoh is going to be tough because he should be on an uncontested lead," said McLaughlin. "Hopefully Beholder puts some pressure on him, that would be great. Maybe we're laying second or third, but I think the race shape will be OK for us."

Longines Breeders' Cup Distaff (gr. I) heavyweight Wedding Toast, winner of the grade I Beldame and Ogden Phipps this year, also turned in her final work for McLaughlin at Greentree, covering a half-mile in :49 2/5.

"Wedding Toast worked a little slower than Frosted but galloped out real strong," McLaughin said. "It rained (on Thursday, Oct. 22) so we had to change plans; we usually give ourselves options. I think she should be on or near the lead. There's a couple of them that could put pressure on us. Hopefully two turns is not a negative. She loves one turn, especially at Belmont Park, so hopefully it's not a negative. She's doing great and I think she is the filly to beat."

McLaughlin will also saddle Stonestreet Stable's Test Stakes (gr. I) winner Cavorting, who breezed a half-mile in :48.77 over Belmont's training track Oct. 22, for the Filly and Mare Sprint (gr. I).

"I think (Cavorting is) the filly to beat even though she's facing older fillies. Seven furlongs is her best distance," he said.

Rounding out McLaughlin's Breeders' Cup contingent is Godolphin's Sentiero Italia, most recently third in the Oct. 10 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup (gr. IT) at Keeneland, who is scheduled to train up to the Filly and Mare Turf (gr. IT).

"I would've liked more time between races, but she's run well enough to deserve a shot," said McLaughlin. "If we draw inside and there's not much pace, we could sit second or third. I think we're very live."

Meanwhile, Christophe Clement's Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (gr. I) trainee, Red Vine, turned in a five furlong maintenance work over Belmont's main track Friday morning, covering the distance in 1:01.12. The Kelso (gr. II) runner-up, who breezed a bullet five-eighths in :59.45 last Saturday, worked solo with jockey Joel Rosario aboard.

"I thought he worked well. He worked a touch more aggressively than we might have expected last week so, by design, we worked him on his own today," said Clement. "Joel seemed very happy with him afterwards. I'm very happy. The horse came back in good shape and, as of now, everything's good."

Clement reported that his Classic candidate, two-time Jockey Club Gold Cup (gr. I) winner Tonalist, is scheduled to have his final breeze the morning of Oct. 24 with regular jockey John Velazquez aboard, while Hard Not to Like is set to work over the turf ahead of her bid in the Filly and Mare Turf.

Clement's Breeders' Cup delegation is slated to ship from Belmont to Keeneland on Monday, Oct. 26, according to the trainer.