OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Trainer Danny Gargan has a contender in the Grade 1, $400,000 Frizette for 2-year-old fillies in Iron Orchard, a New York-bred who has won both of her starts impressively. She beat statebreds by 5 1/2 lengths going 5 1/2 furlongs on debut and then came back to win the six-furlong Seeking the Ante Stakes by 6 3/4 lengths a month later.
“She’s fast. She’s really fast. Obviously, a mile is going to be a question,” Gargan said.
The Frizette drew a field of 12 topped by Carmel Coast, a 5 1/2-length debut winner at Saratoga on Aug. 10. Carmel Coast, trained by Whit Beckman, had her last work on Sept. 21, and Beckman said Monday he did not plan on giving her another work. She has worked five times since her victory.
“She’s where she needs to be. We got everything all prepped. We decided we’re going to just roll right into the race with her,” Beckman said Monday. “Two-year-old filly, she’s not real big, and she’s got plenty of foundation. We’re good.”
Carmel Coast, a daughter of Omaha Beach, drew post 2 in the Frizette.
Trainer Todd Pletcher has sent Grade 1 Spinaway winner Tommy Jo to Kentucky for Friday’s Grade 1 Albiciades, but he still entered three in the Frizette – Lovely Christina, Steer Clear, and Icecreamforevryone. Lovely Christina finished second to Carmel Coast and then came back to win her maiden by 1 3/4 lengths in her second start on Aug. 31.
Steer Clear, second on debut, came back to win her second start, while Icecreamforevryone was beaten a half-length by Five Bars when both debuted on Aug. 23. Five Bars, who overcame a terrible start, is in the Frizette field.
Also entered in the Frizette were Jetty’s Home, Rileytole, and Secane – all from the Saffie Joseph Jr. barn – as well as Chopsticks, the Ellis Park Debutante winner, and Rina’s Revenge.
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