Well-spotted Avoman back on Tapeta for Frost King

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Bull Page Stakes winner Avoman will go back to the Tapeta in Sunday’s $100,000 Frost King Stakes, a 6 1/2-furlong sprint for Ontario-sired 2-year-olds at Woodbine.

Avoman was third when debuting in an open maiden special weight sprint on the main track Sept. 7. Three weeks later, he came from sixth to take the 7 1/2-furlong Bull Page Stakes around two turns on the inner turf, earning a 70 Beyer Speed Figure under Justin Stein.

Trainer Donnie MacRae said Avoman showed ability all along.

“I thought his first race was a great experience,” MacRae said. “A few horses came out of it to do well, so that was good to see. He trained very forwardly leading up to the Bull Page. To say I thought he could win, it would be a bold statement, but I thought I was leading over a contender. I wasn’t sure how he’d handle the turf, but it was a very solid race. He showed he had some talent and the will to win.”

MacRae said he bypassed the 1 1/8-mile Coronation Futurity on Nov. 1, which was won by the Kevin Attard-trained Stephen.

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“We thought of trying him in the Coronation,” MacRae said. “But after consulting with Justin, he was going to ride Stephen. I also talked to Kevin and they both thought that Stephen was going be the real deal. Turns out, he is the real deal. The Frost King looked like a decent option for him. He seems to be doing great and training forward into the race.”

Avoman, with Stein aboard, could vie for favoritism with Dragon’s Brew in the nine-horse field.

Dragon’s Brew won at first asking Aug 9 in a Tapeta sprint. He doubled up three weeks later in another Tapeta sprint, the $250,800 Simcoe Stakes, for graduates of local yearling sales.

Dragon’s Brew raced very wide while closing for third when favored in the Bull Page. Most recently in the 1 1/16-mile Cup and Saucer Stakes on the main turf, he raced three wide in third before fading to finish seventh of nine.

Daisuke Fukumoto will ride Dragon’s Brew again for trainer Robert Tiller, who has won the Frost King twice.

All Canadian finished second in both the Simcoe and Bull Page, his first race with Lasix. Trainer Gail Cox sent him out to work a bullet half-mile in 47 seconds on the training track last Sunday.

Candy Overload came from five lengths back to land a 6 1/2-furlong maiden event with a 66 Beyer in his second start. He is trained by Krista Cole.

The speedy De Only Solution was supplemented by trainer Cole Bennett after missing the board in the Bull Page. He aired in his only other outing, which came against $25,000 maidens.