Frosted Returns in Six-Horse Whitney Stakes

Godolphin Stables' Frosted made history in his last start, and those fortunate enough to watch him rumble are anticipating his return in the Aug. 6 Whitney Stakes (gr. I) at Saratoga Race Course.

Frosted, brilliant winner of the June 11 Mohegan Sun Metropolitan Handicap (gr. I), drew post 4 in a field of six and was installed as the 3-5 morning-line favorite for the $1.25 million Whitney. He was last seen demolishing nine rivals by 14 1/4 lengths in the Met Mile, the largest margin of victory in 123 editions. He did it in stakes-record time—1:32.73. Regular rider Joel Rosario has the return call.

The 4-year-old son of Tapit   geared up for the Whitney with a four-furlong breeze July 29 in :49.60 at the private Greentree Training Center behind Saratoga for trainer Kiaran McLaughlin. Last year at Saratoga, Frosted came off a runner-up finish to Triple Crown winner American Pharoah   in the Belmont Stakes presented by DraftKings (gr. I) to run second in the Jim Dandy Stakes (gr. II) and third in the Travers Stakes (gr. I) before winning the Pennsylvania Derby (gr. II). 

Tri-Bone Stables' New York-bred Effinex, who won his second edition of the Suburban Handicap (gr. II) in his last start July 9, is the 7-2 second choice from the outside with Mike Smith in the irons. The 5-year-old son of Mineshaft   waited last season to run later in the meet for trainer Jimmy Jerkens, and was fourth in the Woodward (gr. I) in early September before going on to win the Clark Handicap (gr. I) at the end of the year.

Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners is represented by 4-year-old Comfort, who returned from a freshening to win the July 4 State Dinner Stakes going 1 1/16 miles at Belmont Park for trainer Todd Pletcher. The Indian Charlie colt is 8-1 on the morning line from post 2 under John Velazquez. He has not lost his past three starts, dating back to last November and a Gulfstream Park West allowance score, and takes his first step into grade I waters.

Rounding out the field are grade II winner Upstart, third in the Met Mile (post 3, 10-1); grade I winner Noble Bird, who looks to rebound from a sixth in the Met Mile and who last year was given time after finishing ninth in this race (post 5, 10-1); and grade II winner El Kabeir, fourth in the June 18 Stephen Foster Handicap (gr. I) in his most recent start and seeking his first victory of 2016 (post 1, 20-1).