Frost King Stakes ($125.000 Purse)
WO- For Two Year Olds Foaled in ON
Seven Furlongs on the Dirt
November 18, 2017
After taking a couple years off, the Frost King Stakes will be run for the first time since 2014, and it will be the eighth time total that it is run. As breeding in Ontario is a popular spot, this stake which could otherwise be lost in the shadows has seen a couple well known winners in the past, such as Seven Sevens and Quench. When it was last run three years ago, there were only four in the field, and it was won by Maverick Racing’s Honey Badger. He looked like a promising one, but it would be his last win, and after ten more defeats, he would ultimately be retired. There are seven going to the gate for this race, and it is a pretty solid overall field. Let’s take a look!
#1- Rod Steiger (Asgar, ridden by L Contreras)- The most experienced of those in this field with seven starts under his belt thus far. Just one of them has resulted in a win, but that came right here at WO under a statebred condition. In that July victory, he came from off the pace, and that seems to be his preferred style. He’s been worked up the ranks, and has put together a couple of middle of the field finishes. Most recently, he was 7th in the Grade 1 Champagne, which is the strongest race that anyone here has tried, and that can be helpful here.
#2- Pound The Monkii (John Henry, ridden by R M Hernandez)- Based on his placement, the trainer clearly has high hopes for this foal from the 2011 Frost King winner. However, after breaking his maiden in his debut, Pound The Monkii has been a complete non-factor. The last time we saw him on the track was in July, and last month the trainer gave him the snip. So now, the new gelding will have to show that he can get it done. I’ll have to see it to believe it, but we all know the geld can work magic.
#3- Senator (Glorify Stables, ridden by P Husbands)- The Diplomatic Immunity colt is two for two in his young career, with both races taking place in Canada. He comes off a win in late August at the $200.000 Simcoe for Canadians right here at WO, and he showed stretch form in the win. Despite that, it’s been two and a half months since he last races, and that might raise some eyebrows, but it could also mean the trainer does not want to rush him. He should like running this seven furlong distance. One of two carrying 122 pounds in this race, as opposed to 120.
#4- Sun Tzu (Barcelona Farms, ridden by Alan Garcia)- He’s had four races and three owners thus far in his career, and this will be his debut running in the Barcelona silks. The trainer purchased him about two weeks ago for $155.000, one race after Aer Stables bought him in the auction for $85.010. That’s a lot of money changing hands already, and so far Sun Tzu has one win in four starts. Aer got a good race out of him, as he ran second in the Grade 3 Futurity at BEL. Work times show nice improvement going longer, so it can easily be seen why he’s an attractive prospect.
#5- Catch Fire (Sarah Stables, ridden by G Boulanger)- Been a while since I have had a chance to cover one of this trainer’s entries. Catch Fire is by Catch A Rising Star, who was indeed a star for Sarah Stables three years ago. Now, Catch Fire hopes to follow that lead, and has done well for himself by taking two of six races, and being part of the exacta in four of them. While he comes off a win in allowance, I am most impressed by his second place run two months ago in the Colin Stakes right here at WO, as that is always a competitive race.
#6- Kendra King (Crocker Ggs, ridden by J M Campbell)- Well, for Kendra King to become the Frost King, it would be a remarkable achievement. He has just one race run so far, and he is still a maiden, after finishing third at the bullring at CT. It is certainly not uncommon for maidens to win stakes like this, so he should not be counted out on that alone. What he has done is worked pretty well here earlier this month. That can him a threat, so keep an eye on him, and consider a shot with him if you’re feeling adventurous at the betting window.
#7- Lord Of Castamere (Mb Stables, ridden by D Moran)- On the outside, the gelding by Rains Of Castamere is the second horse in the field that is carrying two more pounds then most of the field. That was thanks to picking up a victory in the $50.000 CTHS Sales-Summer out at HST back in August. It was one of two wins as a part of his four race career. After that win, he saw lost his ability to breed, and took out on his trainer with a disappointing run at the Bull Page last month, a race with similar conditions as this one. Expect a better showing here.
Prediction: 4-1-3-7
— NS
Categories: STAKES ARTICLES, Ungraded
