No single race has had more impact on the Breeders’ Cup than the Frizette Stakes. No less than 15 winners of the Juvenile Fillies last-prepped in the Frizette, most of any springboard to the championships (1 more than Keeneland’s Spinster). Saturday in New York, the Frizette takes its place 4 weeks from the Breeders’ Cup on a card that includes the Discovery, Grade 2 Jockey Club Derby Invitational, Grade 1 Champagne and Grade 2 Miss Grillo.
Let’s meet the contenders for the Frizette (Race 6):
#1-JETTY’S HOME: First of 3 Saffie Joseph Jr. trainees entered, this one has been second or third in all 3 maiden starts to date. Bullet workout at Saratoga on the Oklahoma training track since her Aug. 21 Spa runner-up as the favorite. Enticed filly brought just a $2,000 sales price as a yearling.
#2-CARMEL COAST: Smashing Saratoga debut winner August 10 by 5-1/2 lengths, spread-eagling the field that included Frizette rival Lovely Christina. This $120,000 yearling buy by Omaha Beach has 5 well-spaced works since the unveiling and will have Kendrick Carmouche back aboard for Whit Beckman. Dam Carmel Beauty is full-sister to Grade 1 Del Mar Oaks and Grade 1 E.P. Taylor winner Arravale and may eventually find the turf.
#3-RILEYTOLE: Gulfstream debut winner for Saffie Joseph Jr. tested the NYRA waters when a distant third of 7 in Saratoga’s Grade 1 Spinaway Stakes on August 30. The $50,000 yearling buy by champion sprinter Mitole has worked twice in Saratoga for the move downstate. Regular rider Reylu Gutierrez will be aboard.
#4-RINA’S REVENGE: New York-bred debut winner rolled late and drew off to score over 6 furlongs August 28 at Saratoga. Leaves the state-bred ranks and partners with jockey Chris Elliott for the first time. The Kenny McPeek trainee is from the first crop to race by Grade 1-winning sprint sire Yaupon, which already includes Astoria / Prairie Gold Lassie winner Sassy C W.
#5-SECANE: Third Saffie Joseph Jr. entrant dominated her Gulfstream Park debut August 15 by 7-3/4 lengths in wire-to-wire fashion. The $67,000 yearling buy by Grade 1 Florida Derby winner Audible has worked 3 times at Palm Meadows since. South Florida pilot Edgard Zayas makes the road trip.
#6-IRON ORCHARD (pictured): New York-bred steamrolled both state-bred casts in her path at Saratoga, a July 3 maiden crew and the Seeking the Ante Stakes on August 22. Jockey Joel Rosario won back-to-back Frizettes in 2018 (Jayhawk) and 2019 (Wicked Whisper). Trainer Danny Gargan is getting an immediate return out of the ready-made $500,000 Ocala April 2025 juvenile buy who sold for $78,000 as a yearling. She’s from the second crop to race by 2020 Kentucky Derby winner Authentic, whose initial crop included April’s Wood Memorial winner Rodriguez over this Big A surface.
#7-CHOPSTICKS: $300,000 daughter of multiple Eclipse Award winner Essential Quality has won both starts for trainer Brad Cox, who also conditioned her sire. Ellis Park Debutante winner leaves Kentucky for the first time, but not before a bullet workout at Churchill Downs in preparation. Regular rider Florent Geroux has the call. Dam Miss Southern Miss was runner-up in Del Mar’s Grade 2 Sorrento as a 2-year-old.
#8-ICECREAMFOREVRYONE: Debut runner-up at Saratoga overcame a rough start to narrowly miss with a late rally. Todd Pletcher turns to Luis Saez here as Irad Ortiz Jr. will be riding at Keeneland on Saturday. Sire Gun Runner was responsible for 2021 Frizette winner Echo Zulu, while dam Curlina was second in the Grade 2 Vagrancy as a primary sprinter.
#9-FIVE BARS: Trainer Shug McGaughey is a 5-time Frizette winner, including the legendary Personal Ensign in 1986, and aims for his first victory here since 2002. Five Bars rallied from last of 7 following a disastrous start in her debut to win. Joel Rosario hops off to ride Iron Orchard as Manny Franco takes over the mount. From the first crop to race by sire Maxfield, who has Del Mar stakes winner Max Ciao and promising Churchill maiden romper Englishman already on his ledger. McGaughey has trained 4 straight generations of this female family.
#10-STEER CLEAR: Second-start Saratoga maiden breaker delivered as the 9-5 favorite on August 29 in wire-to-wire fashion. Todd Pletcher aims for a fifth Frizette victory, most recently with Chocolate Gelato (2022). Ricardo Santana Jr. piloted 2021 Frizette winner Echo Zulu. Steer Clear is a $575,000 yearling purchase by 2007 by Breeders’ Cup Juvenile-Kentucky Derby winner Street Sense. Half-sister to $500,000-earning Fore Left, who won a pair of domestic stakes at age 2 and the UAE Two Thousand Guineas at 3.
#11-LOVELY CHRISTINA: Todd Pletcher’s second chance at a fifth Frizette crown, like Steer Clear she followed her Saratoga debut second with a maiden victory at next asking. $425,000 Ocala March buy as a 2-year-old was no match for Frizette rival Carmel Coast in their mutual unveilings. Jockey Junior Alvarado won the Frizette in 2020 (Dayhoutoftheoffice) and 2023 (Just F Y I). Daughter of Vekoma is out of 6-time stakes winner Daring Kathy, who excelled on turf.
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