Frosted Ice, Bankit square off in Mike Lee Stakes

ELMONT, N.Y. – When last seen at Belmont Park, Frosted Ice dominated the Bertram F. Bongard Stakes while Bankit romped in the Sleepy Hollow, the two major stakes for New York-bred juveniles run in the fall here.

On Monday, Frosted Ice and Bankit are back at Belmont Park and back with New York-breds, and they figure to be two of the major players in the $125,000 Mike Lee Stakes for 3-year-olds going seven furlongs.

After dominating the Bongard by 6 3/4 lengths, Frosted Ice developed a foot problem. He didn’t make it back to the races until the Bachelor Stakes at Oaklawn on April 27, when he finished seventh of nine.

“We knew we were giving up recency, but it was a spot to come back off a layoff,” trainer Ron Moquett said. “I expected him to close better than that, but I was overall pleased with what he got out of the race.”

Moquett said Frosted Ice will appreciate the extra furlong and the apparent plethora of speed in the field.

“If we’re going to fire our good race, we’re going to be right there,” Moquett said. “It looks like it sets up for us.”

Luis Saez rides Frosted Ice from post 2.

Bankit finished 10 1/2 lengths behind Frosted Ice in the Bongard but came back to win the Sleepy Hollow by 5 3/4 lengths. He made his next four starts in open company, including a seventh-place finish in the Grade 2 Louisiana Derby, before finishing a well-beaten fifth in a division of the New York Stallion Stakes on April 20. That race was run over a sloppy track.

Ricardo Santana Jr. will be here to ride from post 8.

Le General was a dominant winner of two New York-bred races last fall at Aqueduct. He was then sidelined by a foot abscess, according to trainer Michelle Nevin. He won going a mile at Aqueduct on Dec. 9 on the lead.

“I think he just found himself there. I don’t think necessarily he has to be on the lead; he’s not that kind of an aggressive horse,” Nevin said.

Funny Guy and Blindwillie McTell, the 1-2 finishers of a New York Stallion Stakes race at Aqueduct going 6 1/2 furlongs, and Durkin’s Call, the 7 1/4-length winner of the Gander Stakes in March, add depth to the field.

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Espresso Shot in Bouwerie

After a failed try at two turns and 1 1/8 miles in the Grade 2 Gazelle, a bid to get to the Kentucky Oaks, Espresso Shot shortens up to seven furlongs and returns to New York-bred competition in Monday’s $125,000 Bouwerie Stakes for 3-year-old fillies.

The last time Espresso Shot faced New York-breds in a one-turn race, she won the East View Stakes going a mile at Aqueduct on Dec. 29. Ten weeks later, she beat open company going a one-turn mile in the Busher before finishing fifth as the 9-5 favorite in the Gazelle.

“I’m not one to look for too many excuses, but stretching her out to two turns, she didn’t give that kick she was doing going a mile,” trainer Jorge Abreu said. “I think she should be pretty competitive in this field.”

Jose Ortiz will ride Espresso Shot for the first time and will break from the outside post.

“She’s been training pretty well,” Abreu said. “Jose worked her a couple of times and really liked her.”

Linda Rice has won the Bouwerie the last three years and sends out Newly Minted, unbeaten in two starts, in this year’s renewal. Newly Minted has won her first two starts by a combined 12 3/4 lengths, both on wet tracks. The main track should be fast Monday.

“Hopefully, she runs as well on a dry track,” Rice said.

Pat’s No Fool, trained by Maryland-based Gary Capuano, won the Maddie May Stakes at Aqueduct in her only try against New York-breds. In her most recent start, she finished third in the Weber City Miss Stakes at Laurel Park.

Wadladi Princess, Elegant Zip, Cash Offer, and Behind the Couch complete the field.