Kiaran McLaughlin has underlined that he still believes Frosted is best placed in the Breeders’ Cup Classic, rather than the Dirt Mile at Santa Anita next month.
Frosted ran out of steam when he finished third to Shaman Ghost and Dubai World Cup runner-up Mubtaahij in the Grade 1 Woodward Stakes at Saratoga last month.
That day he broke sluggishly under Joel Rosario and failed to last home the 1,800 metres.
The Breeders’ Cup Classic looks a white-hot race this year, with the world’s highest-rated horse and Dubai World Cup winner California Chrome and new kid on the block Arrogate appearing to be the most likely winners.
The US$5 million (Dh18.36m) showpiece to the two-day event in California is staged over 2,000 metres, a distance over which Frosted is yet to win. Ultimately, the final decision lies with Godolphin founder Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai.
“Sheikh Mohammed has really got involved with this horse,” McLaughlin said. “He loves Frosted and the decision lies with him.
“I worry about the two-turn mile. It is a quick run in to the turn and there can be a traffic jam. Going a mile, I’m not sure. Obviously the Classic is a great race with California Chrome, Arrogate and Effinex and whoever else shows up.
“The race shape looks better for Frosted. As I get closer I might change my mind, so I am glad the boss is making the decision.”
Frosted has been based at Sheikh Mohammed’s Greentree facility at Saratoga, where he was due to work under McLaughlin’s eye yesterday.
The son of Tapit is scheduled to ship out of Greentree on October 23 with the rest of McLaughlin’s Breeders’ Cup team direct to California, although if the weather gets cold in the next few weeks they could first travel to Belmont Park in New York.
McLaughlin has resisted the temptation to trot out Godolphin’s grey US flag-bearer across any of the massive race programme staged in America this weekend but stablemates Mubtaahij and Tamarkuz are in action on Saturday.
Mubtaahij was just touched off by Shaman Ghost in the Woodward and will once again be ridden by Irad Ortiz in the Grade 1 Jockey Club Gold Cup at Belmont Park.
Mike Smith will fly over from California to ride Tamarkuz, the former Godolphin Mile winner, in the Grade 2 Kelso Handicap at the New York track. Of the two, it is Mubtaahij who excites McLaughlin.
“He is a warrior, that is an accurate description,” he said. “He is a neat horse, tries hard and is a pleasure to train. We expect him to run a big race on Saturday.”
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