Belmont: Kelli Got Frosty could benefit from possible wet track in return

ELMONT, N.Y. – Following a freshening after two double-digit-length defeats in the summer, Kelli Got Frosty lands in a much softer spot for her return to the races Friday at Belmont Park.

Kelli Got Frosty tops a field of 10 fillies and mares entered in a New York-bred second-level optional claiming race at 6 1/2 furlongs that shares billing with a $79,000 New York-bred second-level optional claiming turf race earlier on the card.

Mother Nature could impact Friday’s card as rain was in the forecast for Thursday and Friday. A wet main track certainly wouldn’t adversely impact Kelli Got Frosty, who won a maiden race here last year by 14 lengths in the mud and the East View Stakes by 9 1/2 lengths over a sloppy Aqueduct main track in December.

This year, Kelli Got Frosty has run second in three of five starts, but those seconds have come to graded stakes winners Princess of Sylmar and Kauai Katie as well as the undefeated, but now retired Lovely Syn.

Kelli Got Frosty hasn’t run since finishing last in the July 4 Eventail Stakes on turf – behind eventual Grade 1 winner Discreet Marq – after which she was given a break.

Rudy Rodriguez, who trains Kelli Got Frosty, said the filly needed a rest having not had a significant break since she began her career in September 2012.

“She looks good, this looks like a good spot to bring her back, I’m very, very excited to see her run again,” Rodriguez said.

Rodriguez said if Kelli Got Frosty were to run well Friday, he would consider wheeling her back in the Iroquois Stakes on the Empire Showcase Day card here Oct. 19.

Keep Bustin, second in her last two starts, looms as the major threat to Kelli Got Frosty. Having had the rail in her last two outings, Keep Bustin should appreciate breaking from post 7 under John Velazquez on Friday.

“It didn’t help her,” trainer Bruce Levine said about the rail. “She had some tough trips, under the gun the whole time. Last time, she was second best to [Little Rocket].”

Keep Bustin finished second, beaten a half-length, in her only try over a wet track.

The second-level allowance scheduled for the turf is at the mercy of Mother Nature. If it remains on turf, trainer Linda Rice has the uncoupled entry of Karakorum Legend and Alarmed Ndangerous. The 7-year-old Karakorum Legend is a six-time winner who is being offered for a $25,000 claiming tag.

Alarmed Ndangerous, third in his last two starts, figures to come with a strong late run under Jose Ortiz.

“He’s a deep closer, he runs into a little traffic trouble with that style,” Rice said. “He might have been able to win another race or two this year if he hadn’t had that traffic trouble.”

If off the turf, Smokin Candy, making his first start off the Joe Imperio claim, could become the one to beat.