Miss Frost overcomes early mishap to win Tenski

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - Tom Albertrani said Miss Frost runs her best when she’s in the clear. But early on in Monday’s $100,000 Tenski Stakes, Miss Frost was nearly knocked clear out of the race.

Able to avoid a bearing-out Zinzay entering the first turn, Miss Frost stalked that rival until upper stretch, put her away at the eighth pole, then held off a late charge from Final Redemption and Hillhouse High to win the Tenski by a half-length at Saratoga. Final Redemption, who drew in from the also-eligible list, split horses to finish second by a head over a hard-charging Hillhouse High.

Miss Frost was ridden to victory by Edgar Prado, who had been 0 for 22 at the meet before that race.

“Every time you win a race it’s great," said Prado, a three-time Saratoga meet leading rider. "Seems like it’s even better when you win a stakes here.”

Zinzay, making her first start since April, broke sharply as did Miss Frost. Zinzay, under Joe Rocco, had a hard-time negotiating the turn but Prado was able to take a hold of Miss Frost to prevent her from getting carried to the outside fence.

Rocco was able to settle Zinzay down and Prado had Miss Frost outside and in the clear stalking Zinzay behind fractions of 23.99 seconds for the quarter, 48.09 for the half-mile and 1:12.20 for six furlongs.

In the stretch, Miss Frost jumped alongside Zinzay and overtook her inside the eighth pole. Miss Frost opened up enough of an advantage to hold off Final Redemption and Hillhouse High.

Miss Frost, a 3-year-old daughter of Curlin owned by Cot Campbell’s Dogwood table, covered the mile over firm turf in 1:35.09 and returned $20.40 to win.

“Got taken out wide a little bit, but Edgar was happy to be out there anyway because she likes to have her space, she likes to be in her own little comfort zone,” Albertrani said. “With this filly if you get her in behind [horses] she’ll fight you. She was in a good spot running her own race, actually not worrying about what was in front of her. As long as she’s in the clear and had nothing in her way that’s when she runs her best.”