Over the last several months, two Frosteds have appeared on the track: the colt who looked like a sure winner moving into the stretch in the Fountain of Youth Stakes (USA-G2) and the colt who completely and inexplicably collapsed in the final sixteenth of the same race. On April 4, Frosted #1 reappeared. His performance was workmanlike rather than spectacular, but it was more than enough to put the son of Tapit squarely back in the Kentucky Derby (USA-G1) picture.
With the defection of Far From Over due to injury, this was not a particularly strong field for the Wood. El Kabeir was always suspect at the distance, and Daredevil, like Frosted, had questions to answer. Nonetheless, Frosted deserves some credit. While the early pace was slow, Frosted was wide on both turns and still had enough left to finish well under a hand ride. (El Kabeir also ran on well but mostly passed tired horses and never looked like threatening the top pair.)
The question now is which Frosted will show up for the Kentucky Derby and whether he is continuing to develop or has simply returned to his previous top form. A Frosted whose best form is what we have already seen probably will not be quite good enough, but a Frosted who is continuing to mature could be dangerous if his physical woes are behind him. He is not a colt that can produce a devastating turn of foot, but his ability to deliver a long, sustained drive can be quite an asset down the long Churchill Downs stretch. On pedigree, he seems as likely as any colt in the field to be able to get the trip, so he looks like a live contender. We'll know in four weeks whether he is more than that.
With the defection of Far From Over due to injury, this was not a particularly strong field for the Wood. El Kabeir was always suspect at the distance, and Daredevil, like Frosted, had questions to answer. Nonetheless, Frosted deserves some credit. While the early pace was slow, Frosted was wide on both turns and still had enough left to finish well under a hand ride. (El Kabeir also ran on well but mostly passed tired horses and never looked like threatening the top pair.)
The question now is which Frosted will show up for the Kentucky Derby and whether he is continuing to develop or has simply returned to his previous top form. A Frosted whose best form is what we have already seen probably will not be quite good enough, but a Frosted who is continuing to mature could be dangerous if his physical woes are behind him. He is not a colt that can produce a devastating turn of foot, but his ability to deliver a long, sustained drive can be quite an asset down the long Churchill Downs stretch. On pedigree, he seems as likely as any colt in the field to be able to get the trip, so he looks like a live contender. We'll know in four weeks whether he is more than that.
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