Frost Point roars past Doubledogdare rivals to win third straight

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Frost Point continued her ascent into the divisional elite with a late-running triumph over five other fillies and mares Friday in the 28th running of the Grade 3, $292,594 Doubledogdare Stakes at Keeneland.

Ridden by Flavien Prat, Frost Point returned $11.06 as third choice after finishing the 1 1/16-mile distance in 1:43.95 over a fast main track.

Since getting a seven-month break until returning to action in late 2022, “she’s come back very well now, 3 for 3,” said winning trainer Bill Mott, who trains 5-year-old Frost Point for owner-breeder Godolphin. “This was actually a really good race. She beat a very good field, I thought.”

On a warm and occasionally drizzly afternoon, Hidden Connection sailed off to lead over Green Up, with Interstatedaydream, the 5-4 favorite, settling just another length or two behind them. Into the final turn, Green Up and jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. drew virtually even with Hidden Connection but couldn’t go past, with Hidden Connection seeming to have things under control with a furlong to go.

:: Bet Keeneland with Confidence: Get DRF PPs, Picks, and Betting Strategies. Shop Now.

But Prat had Frost Point well under way after trailing much of the way, and the bay daughter of Frosted sailed past in the late going to prevail by three-quarters of a length.

“All the way around the turn, it felt like she was going to make a big move, and as soon as I tipped her out, she really extended herself and kicked for home,” said Prat.

Green Up was another 1 1/2 lengths back in third, with Interstatedaydream settling for fourth. Shotgun Hottie and Traverse completed the order of finish. Moon Swag and Music Street were early scratches.

In her latest form cycle, Frost Point was an open-lengths winner of a Dec. 30 allowance, then the Feb. 18 Heavenly Prize, both at Aqueduct. She has won 5 of 11 overall, with the Doubledogdare marking her first graded win.

“If she keeps running the way she is, this type of race is good for her,” said Mott, whose lone previous Doubledogdare victory came in 2009 with Indescribable.

The $2 exacta (3-7) paid $97.52, the $1 trifecta (3-7-2) returned $207.68, and the 10-cent superfecta (3-7-2-4) was worth $34.46.

:: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.