The New York circuit's Breeders' Cup preps are now a little more than two weeks away, and trainer Kiaran McLaughlin has several top names ready to fly.
Frosted (Tapit), impressive winner of the GI Metropolitan H. and GI Whitney S., but upset when third to Shaman Ghost (Ghostzapper) in the GI Woodward S. Sept. 3, is likely to be trained up to the Breeders' Cup, though race selection will come at an undetermined point in the future.
“I just got back from Kentucky and I spoke to [Godolphin Racing's] John Ferguson and Jimmy Bell and Frosted will most likely wait until the Breeders' Cup but it's not completely confirmed,” McLaughlin said. “And whether it's the Mile or the Classic, we still haven't decided.”
Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa al Maktoum's Mubtaahij (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), second to Shaman Ghost in the Woodward, is set to represent the stable in the GI Jockey Club Gold Cup in the second of the two 'Super Saturday' programs Oct. 8. He could be joined in the gate by 'TDN Rising Star' Watershed (Bernardini), who exits a third-place effort in the GIII Philip H. Iselin S. at Monmouth Park Aug. 27.
“It's a step up for him, he was third at Monmouth but we think he's that type so we're going to try him,” he said.
Coming off a strong runner-up effort in the GI Forego S. at Saratoga Aug. 27, Shadwell Stable's Tamarkuz (Speightstown) has been penciled in for a start in the GII Kelso H. going Belmont's one-turn mile. Mike Smith has a return call on the 6-year-old, whose best career victory came in the G2 Godolphin Mile in 2015.
“A mile is his best distance, so we're happy Mike Smith is coming in to ride,” McLaughlin said. “He ran super in the Forego and we think he's going to be tough in this one.”
Sentiero Italia (Medaglia d'Oro), a latest third in the GII Ballston Spa S. at Saratoga Aug. 27, will stretch back out to 10 furlongs for the GI Flower Bowl Invitational S.
“She came out of the Ballston Spa well and she ran a big race,” said McLaughlin. “Turning for home in the late stretch she hooked up with Lady Eli (Divine Park) and held her own before Mark [Hennig's] filly [Strike Charmer {Smart Strike}] passed us but it was an encouraging effort. We'll look for her to move forward off of it; hopefully she'll perform well.”
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