Woodward next for Frosted, then . . .

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Trainer Kiaran McLaughlin is mapping out Frosted’s schedule in pencil, not ink or stone.

While obviously thinking about the Breeders’ Cup in November, McLaughlin is living in the moment. With Frosted doing too well to leave in the barn, the East Coast’s leading older male dirt horse will make his next start in next Saturday’s Grade 1, $600,000 Woodward Stakes at Saratoga.

That means Frosted will be running back four weeks after his two-length victory in the Grade 1 Whitney. That would give Frosted 60 days to the Breeders’ Cup, but McLaughlin isn’t necessarily ruling out running him back in the Jockey Club Gold Cup at 1 1/4 miles or the Kelso at a mile, both on Oct. 8.

“It’s not for sure what we’re doing after next Saturday,” McLaughlin said Friday. “The Woodward now, then we’ll take it from there.”

McLaughlin even seemed noncommittal about the Breeders’ Cup Classic, noting that there is still the BC Dirt Mile. Of course, Frosted turned in arguably the performance of the year in winning the Grade 1 Metropolitan Handicap by 14 1/4 lengths on June 11.

In the Breeders’ Cup Classic, Frosted would be facing California Chrome, who was dominant in winning the Pacific Classic last weekend.

“I didn’t sleep that well,” McLaughlin said when asked about California Chrome. “I’m glad Frosted didn’t see the race, but he was very impressive. That’s why I say going forward I don’t know what’s going to happen. For now, we’re one race at a time.”

On Thursday, Frosted worked four furlongs in 48.97 seconds over the synthetic surface at the Greentree Training Center.

“He’s real happy,” McLaughlin said. “Everything’s gone great. We hope he stays at this level.”

McLaughlin will also run Mubtaahij in the Woodward. The runner-up to California Chrome in the Dubai World Cup, Mubtaahij is coming off a third-place finish to Effinex in the Grade 2 Suburban on July 9.

Others pointing to the Woodward include Bradester, Breaking Lucky, Samraat, and Tale of Verve.