Frosted arrives in Dubai; Chrome tours Meydan

Frosted photo courtesy of Dubai Racing Club via Twitter.

Godolphin’s leading Dubai World Cup (G1) hopeful, Frosted, left his Florida winter headquarters and arrived in Dubai Sunday.

Last year’s Wood Memorial (G1) and Pennsylvania Derby (G2) winner, Frosted concluded 2015 with a seventh to American Pharoah in the October 31 Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) at Keeneland. The gray son of Tapit got a two-month holiday, but has been building back up at trainer Kiaran McLaughlin’s Palm Meadows base since Christmas Eve. Frosted’s last two works have been five-furlong bullets in 1:00 (January 14) and 1:00 2/5 (January 20).

Plans call for Frosted to prep in the February 4 Maktoum Challenge Round 2 (G2) at about 1 3/16 miles, according to Karen Johnson (@WriterHorses).

Also on the flight was stablemate Marking. The fellow Godolphin colorbearer won his first two career starts before a runner-up effort to champion sprinter Runhappy in the December 26 Malibu (G1). With his profile, the Godolphin Mile (G2) would likely be his major objective on World Cup night. Interestingly, Marking is out of Seventh Street, a multiple Grade 1-winning half-sister to Reynaldothewizard, the 2013 Dubai Golden Shaheen (G1) hero who’s still going strong at the age of 10.

Meanwhile, Dubai World Cup contender California Chrome has been on the premises since Friday. Having cleared quarantine, the flashy chestnut is now out and about at Meydan.

Co-owner Taylor Made Farm reported via social media that Chrome jogged "about 20 minutes" Monday, and relayed assistant trainer Alan Sherman’s assessment that he’s “looking and feeling great.”

In light of trainer Art Sherman's comments about a prep in the latter part of February, it sounds like Chrome and Frosted might not cross paths until the $10 million main event.

California Chrome photo courtesy of Taylor Made Sales via Twitter.