NYRA/Chelsea Durand
By Sarah Mace
Frostie Anne was last seen on August 12 easily handling an open allowance field at Saratoga going nine furlongs in an off-the-turf event. Just five days later, on Friday, she turned in a determined performance to win the $100,000 Saratoga Dew for New York-bred fillies and mares at the same distance for her sixth straight victory.
Frostie Anne, a 5-year-old daughter of Frost Giant (Irish Hill & Dutchess Views Stallions) has been nothing less than perfect of late. Dating back to March 31, when she wired the Sis City Stakes – one of Aqueduct’s (non-black type) Claiming Championship races – the 5-year-old daughter of Frost Giant has done nothing but have her picture taken. She followed up with three state-bred allowance victories (Belmont on May 16, and Finger Lakes on June 27 and July 17), all going a route of ground, before her open allowance win at Saratoga last Sunday.
Frostie Anne was not the only horse in the Saratoga Dew field wheeling back on short rest. The lineup, in fact, had a distinctly “old school” feel. Empire Distaff winner Verdant Pastures did have a significant time between starts (81 days), but Frostie Anne’s stablemate Frosty Margarita won the Jack Betta Be Rite stakes at Finger Lakes four days ago on Monday. Pink Twist was returning eight days after a state-bred allowance victory at the Spa and Land Mine last raced three weeks before, finishing a solid second in a Saratoga allowance race. Held Accountable (10 days) was scratched.
Verdant Pastures (5-2) was hustled to the lead after the bell and Frostie Anne (likewise 5-2) set up 1 1/2 lengths back in second to enjoy a ground-saving trip around the first turn. Land Mine (favored at 3-2), who bobbled at the break but recovered quickly, pursued in third in the two path followed by Frosty Margarita and Verdant Pastures.
The order remained unchanged as the field proceeded along the backstretch with the quarter and half ticking by in 23.86 and 47.95.
Rounding the far turn, Frostie Anne advanced on the pacesetter, issued a direct challenge and assumed the lead midway around the bend.
Mid-stretch Land Mine, who went wide around the turn, came knocking at the door.
Frostie Anne met the challenge with determined resistance, digging deep in the final panel and refusing to let her rival make up ground. She hit the wire with a half-length to spare. Land Mine in second finished 11 3/4 lengths clear of Pink Twist in third and Frosty Margarita and Verdant Pastures completed the order of finish. After a mile in 1:39.17, the final time for 1 1/8 miles was 1:53.17. [VIDEO REPLAY]
Jockey Junior Alvarado, who has been Frostie Anne’s regular rider in her NYRA starts this year, credited trainer Rudy Rodriguez, who co-owns the mare with Michael Imperio, with a masterful job of managing her races.
“Rudy’s done such a good job,” Alvarado said. “Whatever he’s doing, she’s ready and comes through the races and gives you her ‘A’ game. She’s been trying in every race and really brings it.”
The pilot also explained why he refined on his typical front-running tactics for the Saratoga Dew. “I wanted to go to the lead but at the same time I didn’t want to overuse her because it’s a mile and an eighth and we ran five days ago,” he said. “I just tried to use her as much as I could. She broke good. I just sat off with her and when I asked her, she was there for me.”
Rodriguez returned Alvarado’s compliment with praise of the ride. “I have to thank Junior for a good ride. I just told him to put a little pressure on and don’t let them give the race up early up front. Junior did what he’s supposed to do, and the filly is just game horse. We’re just lucky to have her in the barn. She always digs in… I knew when they hooked up to her, she wouldn’t quit.”
Rodriguez also reported that during this six-race win streak he has noticed a positive change. “She’s usually very headstrong and difficult in the mornings, but the last eight weeks she’s been very good, relaxed and comfortable,” Rodriguez explained. “You always are concerned when they come back from short rest, but we’ll freshen her up from here and go forward.”
Bred by Mr. and Mrs. Grant L. Whitmer and foaled at Keane Stud in Amenia, Frostie Anne is one of four winners from four foals to start out of Lake Toccet by Toccet, an unraced New York-bred a half-sister to turf stakes-placed Irish Princess. Her other black type winner is Freudie Anne by Freud, a multiple stakes winner of nearly $400,000.
Lake Toccet has yearling colt by Giant Surprise and a weanling colt by the same sire. She was bred back to Freud this year.
Frostie Anne has won 13 of 31 starts with three seconds and a third. A consistent earner she has a compiled a bankroll of $438,998.
