Frosted works toward possible Belmont Stakes start

Frosted, the fourth-place finisher in the Kentucky Derby, worked a half-mile in 47.80 seconds Friday morning over the Belmont Park main track.

Daily Racing Form clocker Mike Vesce caught Frosted’s first quarter in 24.40 seconds, his final quarter in 23.40 seconds and caught him galloping out five furlongs in 1:01.80.

Trainer Kiaran McLaughlin said that Frosted is under serious consideration for the June 6 Belmont Stakes.

“He worked great, on his own, galloped out well,” McLaughlin said. “We’ll do it again next Friday, weather permitting.”

Asked whether Frosted was a definite to run in the Belmont, McLaughlin said, “I’m waiting approval to run in the Belmont, but we’re training that way.”

Frosted is owned by Sheikh Mohammed’s Godolphin Racing.

Frosted, winner of the Grade 1 Wood Memorial, was one of two horses - Materiality being the other - to make up significant ground in the Kentucky Derby. Frosted was 11 lengths back midway around the far turn and finished 3 1/4 lengths back of American Pharoah at the finish, a neck behind third-place finisher Dortmund.

Frosted is one of several Kentucky Derby also-rans being pointed to the Belmont Stakes. Materiality (6th), Keen Ice (7th), Mubtaahij (8th), Carpe Diem (10th), and Frammento (11th) are considered definite starters. War Story (16th) and Tencendur (18th) are possible for the Belmont as well. Madefromlucky, the Peter Pan Stakes winner, is also Belmont bound.

Also working for McLaughlin on Friday morning was Tamarkuz, winner of the Godolphin Mile, who went five furlongs in 1:01.65 in preparation for a start in the Metropolitan Handicap on the Belmont Stakes undercard.
McLaughlin said Tamarkuz went in company with Classy Class, who was timed for only a half-mile in 49.65 seconds. Classy Class, who won a first-level allowance on Derby Day at Belmont Park, could make his next start in the Grade 2 Woody Stephens, also on the Belmont undercard.