Frosted points to Jim Dandy

ELMONT, N.Y. – For a moment at the top of the stretch of the Belmont Stakes, trainer Kiaran McLaughlin thought his 3-year-old Frosted was gaining ground on American Pharoah, but in a matter of strides, it became evident that was not the case as American Pharoah opened up again en route to a 5 1/2-length victory that capped off the first Triple Crown in Thoroughbred racing in 37 years.

McLaughlin admitted to turning into a fan in that final furlong and was happy to watch history with his family sitting beside him in the box seats at Belmont Park. He is in no hurry, however, to run Frosted against American Pharoah anytime soon. So while it was confirmed Thursday that American Pharoah would make his next start Aug. 2 in the $1 million Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park, McLaughlin confirmed Friday that Frosted will make his next start Aug. 1 in the Grade 2, $600,000 Jim Dandy at Saratoga.

“We’ve always been pointing to the Jim Dandy because it’s here, a mile and an eighth, and obviously a prep for the Travers,” said McLaughlin, referring to the $1.25 million Travers on Aug. 29. “Speed-favoring Monmouth was not really at the top of our list.”

Frosted won the Grade 1 Wood Memorial at Aqueduct in April and was one of a few horses who made up any significant ground in the Kentucky Derby, in which he finished fourth, three lengths behind American Pharoah. In the Belmont, Frosted made an inside move around the turn, tipped outside in the stretch, but was no match for American Pharoah while finishing two lengths clear of third-place finisher Keen Ice.

Frosted was sent to Saratoga, where on Friday, he had his first workout since the Belmont, breezing an easy half-mile in 50.99 seconds over the main track.

“Doing great,” McLaughlin said. “Been training great. We’ll continue to work on Fridays, weather permitting. Looks fabulous. Couldn’t be doing better.”

Others pointing to the Jim Dandy include Japan, winner of the Easy Goer Stakes; Materiality, sixth in the Kentucky Derby; Tencendur, second in the Ohio Derby; Upstart, the Holy Bull winner who finished last in the Kentucky Derby; and Texas Red, last year’s Breeders’ Cup Juvenile winner who was scheduled to run in Saturday’s Dwyer at Belmont.