Frosted to Met Mile, Cavorting to Ogden Phipps, Mohaymen to Saratoga

Edited NYRA press release

Stonestreet Stable's Cavorting emerged from her five-length romp in Saturday's Ruffian (G2) in good shape, according to trainer Kiaran McLaughlin on Sunday morning.

"She came back great," he reported.

Ridden for the first time by Javier Castellano, Cavorting added her sixth career victory from 11 starts.

"It was very impressive," McLaughlin said. "Javier did a great job. He had a plan and the race came just like he saw it. He said, 'I'll lay fourth, find a hole and angle out like she did in the Test [G1]' and he did exactly that. It worked out great."

The 4-year-old daughter of Bernardini will likely make her next start on Belmont Stakes Day in the $1 million Ogden Phipps (G1) on June 11, a Breeders' Cup Distaff (G1) "Win and You're In" that has attracted the early interest of multiple graded stakes winners Forever Unbridled, Curalina, Stopchargingmaria, Sheer Drama and Ruffian runner-up Carrumba, among others.

"Looking ahead, we're probably coming into the toughest filly and mare race of the year, but we're pointing that way," said McLaughlin. "It makes sense."

Godolphin Racing's Frosted has continued to improve since his fifth-place finish in the Dubai World Cup (G1) in March, reported McLaughlin.

The 4-year-old Tapit colt has trained forwardly at Greentree Training Center near Saratoga Race Course, last breezing a half-mile in :48.20 on Friday, in preparation for his expected bid in the $1.25 million Metropolitan H. (Met Mile) (G1), also on Belmont Stakes Day.

"He's working on Fridays and we're pointing for the Met Mile," said McLaughlin. "We were going to go a different direction but the Met Mile is such a valuable race. A mile isn't necessarily an ideal distance for him, but it is when they go :22, :44 and 1:09. So we'll point to the Met Mile with him and Marking."

McLaughlin's Kentucky Derby (G1) contender Mohaymen is in good order after last week's Run for the Roses, the trainer said. The sophomore son of Tapit will be pointed for a Saratoga summer return after a short breather, taking aim at the Jim Dandy (G2) and, ultimately, the Travers (G1).

"We brought him to the clinic [after the Derby] just to get him checked out and got a full bill of health," said McLaughlin." He's getting a few days to stand around in tall grass and then he'll go to Saratoga and settle in up there."

McLaughlin was encouraged by the colt's late-charging fourth-place finish in the Derby, coming in 4 1/2 lengths behind Nyquist.

"He ran very well. He didn't break really well but he got his best number on the sheets so far," said McLaughlin, "but Nyquist is a star."

Photo courtesy NYRA/Coglianese Photography.