Frosted Grace, Royal Squeeze renew rivalry

The last time the promising Frosted Grace met the old class runner Royal Squeeze, they were separated by a head. They clash again Friday in the featured ninth race at Gulfstream Park.

The horses go in a second-level allowance that carries an optional claiming price of $62,500. It will be run over six furlongs.

Royal Squeeze, an 8-year-old who leads the six-horse field in earnings with more than $600,000, won the matchup over Frosted Grace back in May at Gulfstream. He battled for a head win and has made one start since, finishing third in the $60,000 Opening Lead on Aug. 2 at Gulfstream.

Elizabeth Dobles has named Angel Arroyo to ride Royal Squeeze, and the jockey comes in hot. Last week, Arroyo won with 3 of 5 mounts on the Aug. 28 card at Gulfstream. One of his winners paid $32.40 and another $23.40.

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Arroyo is now based at Gulfstream after riding in New York, and he is being represented by former jockey Rene Douglas.

“This kid can really ride,” Douglas said. “I’m glad to have him.

“We’re focused on staying in Florida. He’s picking up business and, hopefully, we get right to the top. He’s a very, very strong rider. I call him my complete rider. He rides good on the grass, sprints, long. I like that, when a jockey rides all kind of races.”

Frosted Grace is moving back to the dirt Friday after running a pair of competitive efforts on the grass at Gulfstream.

“He runs well on both,” trainer Kathy Ritvo said. “I’m glad to get him back on the main track. I think he’s a touch better on the dirt, but we just wanted to try him on the turf.

“He’s just a nice horse.”

Cristian Torres has the mount from post 5, outside of Royal Squeeze in gate 4. Frosted Grace has been effective from both on and off the pace.

Torres “will play it by the break,” Ritvo said. “Hopefully, we can let the speed go, let them shake out, and see what happens.”

Yodel E. A. Who will be on the lips of handicappers off a dominant win over the $35,000 claiming crowd at Gulfstream.

Yodel E. A. Who earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 89 for his May 30 win at Gulfstream, and it’s the best last-race dirt number in the field Friday. He wired his rivals by 5 1/2 lengths and was flattered when the runner-up, Win With Pride, came back in his next start to capture a $30,000 claiming sprint at Gulfstream with a Beyer of 92.

Other last-race winners in the six-horse field include All Around and South Sea.