Godolphin Racing's Frosted will challenge Triple Crown hopeful American Pharoah in the $1.5 million Belmont Stakes June 6 at Belmont Park, the colt's trainer, Kiaran McLaughlin announced May 21.
McLaughlin had been considering the Belmont for Frosted and made official plans Thursday for the Twinspires.com Wood Memorial Stakes winner to target the 1-1/2-mile test. The son of Tapit finished fourth in the Kentucky Derby May 2 at Churchill Downs.
He joins a group of horses likely for the Belmont who finished behind American Pharoah in the Kentucky Derby and then skipped the Xpressbet.com Preakness Stakes. Others probable for the Belmont exiting the Derby are Materiality (sixth), Keen Ice (seventh), Mubtaahij (eighth), Carpe Diem (10th), Frammento (11th), and War Story (16th).
Breaking from post 12, Frosted lagged well behind a moderate early pace in the Kentucky Derby, went wide during both turns, and closed to finish fourth, 3-1/4 lengths behind American Pharoah and a neck behind third-place finisher Dortmund.
"We ran good breaking from a wide post in an 18-horse field and going six wide on the far turn, and we wish there were more pace," McLaughlin said. "He ran a great race, but we were a little disappointed. We wanted to win."
McLaughlin hopes Frosted will follow in the footsteps of one of his former trainees, Jazil, who won the 2006 Belmont after finishing fourth in the Derby.
"We're very happy to be running," the trainer said. "He's doing well and will work (May 22)."