Frosted Works Towards Travers

Darley homebred Frosted (Tapit) returned to the track Friday for his first serious work since his runner-up effort in Saratoga’s GII Jim Dandy S. Aug. 1. The GI TwinSpires.com Wood Memorial winner breezed a half-mile in :51.25 under regular exercise rider Rob Massey Friday morning in preparation for the GI Travers S. Aug. 29.

“He usually works a little bit quicker, but he’s fit and ready to go,” trainer Kiaran McLaughlin remarked. “Rob thought he was going a little faster than that, but the track might have been a little dull at 5:40 [a.m.], or maybe Frosted was a little sleepy.”

“Everything is set,” McLaughlin added. “We’ll work back next Thursday, Friday, Saturday or Sunday, depending on weather. He’ll go a little quicker, but it’s not a big deal. He’s fit.”

There is a chance that Frosted could face Triple Crown winner American Pharoah (Pioneerof the Nile), who he finished fourth to in the GI Kentucky Derby May 2 and second to in the GI Belmont S. June 6, for the third time in the Travers.

“Obviously, we’ve been beat by him twice, so we prefer not to run against him, but if he shows up it’s great for the game,” said McLaughlin. “We’ll deal with it. We’re not adjusting our schedule.”

If the Triple Crown winner does not show, McLaughlin feels confident in his colt’s chances to improve on his Jim Dandy performance.

“We like our chances,” he said. “With equal weights it should help us against [Jim Dandy winner] Texas Red (Afleet Alex), but they’re good horses [pointing to the Travers]. It’ll be a good race, either way. We’re ready.”