Frosted (foaled April 18, 2012, in Kentucky)[1] is an American Thoroughbred racehorse. In 2016, he set a stakes record while winning the Metropolitan Handicap in a "dazzling performance"[2] and followed up with a win in the Whitney Handicap. Prior to that, despite winning several stakes races, he was best known for finishing behind American Pharoah four times, including a runner-up performance in the 2015 Belmont Stakes.

Frosted
Frosted after the 2015 Travers
SireTapit
GrandsirePulpit
DamFast Cookie
DamsireDeputy Minister
SexColt
FoaledApril 18, 2012
CountryUnited States
ColourGray
BreederDarley
OwnerGodolphin
TrainerKiaran McLaughlin
Record19: 6-6-2
Earnings$3,972,800[1]
Major wins
Wood Memorial Stakes (2015)
Pennsylvania Derby (2015)
Al Maktoum Challenge, Round 2 (2016)
Metropolitan Handicap (2016)
Whitney Handicap (2016) Triple Crown Race placing:
Belmont Stakes (2015)
Last updated on November 24, 2016

Background

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Frosted is a gray colt, a color he inherited from leading sire Tapit, whose other offspring include the 2014 Belmont Stakes winner Tonalist and 2016 Belmont Stakes winner Creator. Frosted's dam, Fast Cookie, was a graded stakes winner in 2003 for Stonerside Farm and was acquired by Darley when it purchased Stonerside in 2008.[3] Fast Cookie produced three winners from her first three foals to race (Macaroon and With Sugar On Top being the others), with Frosted being her first stakes winner.[4]

Darley is a global breeding operation owned by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Emir of Dubai in the United Arab Emirates; Godolphin is the associated racing stable. In the period from 1995 to 2015, Godolphin was crowned Champion British Owner on ten occasions.[5] In the United States, Goldolphin earned the Outstanding Owner in 2009 and 2012, while Darley earned the Eclipse Award for Outstanding Breeder in 2012.[6] Sheikh Mohammed was also honored with a special Eclipse Award in 2002, "In recognition of his extraordinary contributions and accomplishments in both racing and philanthropy."[7] Sheikh Mohammed created the Dubai World Cup, the world's richest horse race, in 1996 to promote international racing and celebrate the roots of the Thoroughbred breed in Arabia.[8]

Frosted is conditioned by Kiaran McLaughlin, who has trained for Godolphin since 1993, including several years spent in the United Arab Emirates.[9]

Racing career

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Racing silks of Godolphin

2014: two-year-old season

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Frosted first ran on August 23 in a 6-furlong maiden special weight race at Saratoga. He broke slowly and raced at the back of the pack, then made a 4-wide move around the turn to finish second.[10] On September 20 at Belmont Park, he was closer to the pace but again finished second after shying at the whip in the stretch.[11] In his third start on October 20 at Aqueduct, he pressed the pace, then drew away in the stretch to win easily.[12] He finished his two-year-old campaign on November 29 in the Remsen Stakes at Aqueduct. He pressed the pace while racing wide, then dueled the leader down the stretch to come up just short.[13]

2015: three-year-old season

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Frosted started his three-year-old campaign on January 24 in the Holy Bull Stakes at Gulfstream Park. He was bumped at the start, then stalked the pace from the inside. He made a run coming into the stretch but could not make up ground on the winner, Upstart, being "clearly second best" according to the chart.[14] For his next start in the Fountain of Youth Stakes, Frosted pressed the pace and took a clear lead rounding the turn. But in the stretch, he slowed down, drifted wide and bumped Upstart who in turn bumped Itsaknockout. Frosted faded to fourth and Upstart was disqualified.[15]

It was later discovered that Frosted had suffered from a trapped epiglottis during the race, obstructing his breathing. Trainer Kiaran McLaughlin had a minor surgical procedure performed on Frosted's throat, added blinkers and changed jockeys to Joel Rosario.[16] Frosted was entered in the Wood Memorial on April 4 at Aqueduct, the same track at which he had broken his maiden back in October. Frosted responded with a convincing victory despite racing wide around the final turn. "We went wide, but he was out of trouble and in the clear," said McLaughlin. "It was a very good race. I don't care how he did it; to get here first was most important in this race."

In the 2015 Kentucky Derby, Frosted was the 5th betting choice in a field of 18. He broke poorly and was rank for the first quarter mile before finally settling near the back of the pack. He started to make up ground down the backstretch, raced very wide around the far turn, and closed steadily down the stretch to finish fourth, just over 3 lengths behind winner American Pharoah and only a neck behind Dortmund and Firing Line ±for fourth.[17]

Frosted skipped the Preakness Stakes to prepare for the 2015 Belmont Stakes, in which American Pharoah was attempting to win the Triple Crown. Frosted stalked the pace and made his move as the rounded into the stretch. He quickly advanced into second place but proved no match for American Pharoah, who won by 5+12 lengths. Keen Ice would finish third, two lengths behind Frosted.[18]

Frosted's next start was on August 1 in the Jim Dandy Stakes at Saratoga. Only four horses went to the post as there were two defections to the Haskell Invitational, which had an increased purse due to the presence of American Pharoah.[19] Frosted raced in third for the first mile, and went wide around both turns. Coming into the stretch, Texas Red, winner of the 2014 Breeders' Cup Juvenile, kicked clear of the field. Frosted closed hard but could not get by, settling for yet another second.[20]

 
Frosted pressed American Pharoah for much of the 2015 Travers Stakes

In the Travers Stakes, Frosted pressed American Pharoah hard, especially from after the first half-mile, when the pace quickened significantly. The two horses bumped repeatedly around the turn and Frosted took a temporary lead.[21] This change from Frosted's previous stalking style was attributed to a rider change less than an hour before the race, when Jose Lezcano replaced an injured Joel Rosario. The unexpected tactics of Lezcano may have been decisive as neither horse had enough energy left after a fast opening mile to withstand the charge of Keen Ice down the stretch.[22] American Pharoah would finish second with Frosted in third.[23] "We didn't want to engage (American Pharoah) that early but Jose rode him well," said McLaughlin. "We always break well, but just try to sit third to fifth. He took it upon himself to go and engage him early because no one else was there. It was unfortunate for us and maybe for American Pharoah, too."[24]

On September 19, Frosted traveled to Parx Racing for the Pennsylvania Derby. Facing a field of 9 and with Joel Rosario again up, he returned to his usual tactics, stalking the pace for the first 34 of a mile. Going 3-wide around the final turn, Frosted took the lead coming into the stretch and won under a hand ride. "He's a top horse and the last three out of his last four runs have been against American Pharoah, so it's great he wasn't here and we were able to shine today," McLaughlin said.[25]

On October 31, Frosted entered the Breeders' Cup Classic, facing older horses for the first time and American Pharoah for the last time. Frosted took up his normal stalking position several lengths behind American Pharoah, then started to make his move on the turn. But when trying to go between horses, he was bumped hard into the rail and tailed off, eventually finishing seventh.[26]

2016: four-year-old season

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Frosted shipped to Dubai in early 2016 with the Dubai World Cup as the target. His first start was on February 4 in the Al Maktoum Challenge, Round 2 at a distance of 1900 metres (roughly 1+316 miles). Betting is illegal in Dubai,[27] but Frosted was the favorite in the American simulcast pool. He settled behind a slow pace, then made his move on the turn only to be fanned wide by the pacesetter. Frosted adjusted and drew away to win by 5 lengths in track record time.[28]

McLaughlin had originally considered racing Frosted in Round 3 of the Al Maktoum Challenge in early March, but ultimately decided to train Frosted up to the Dubai World Cup at Godolphin's Al Marmoon stables. "It was the first time he had really run off an extended break and he set the track record in the process. He answered all the questions and he obviously runs well fresh," said McLaughlin.[29]

An international field of twelve horses went to the post on March 25 to contest the Dubai World Cup. California Chrome, the 2014 American Horse of the Year, tracked the pace on the outside for about a mile before drawing clear to win in convincing fashion. Frosted was stalking a few lengths further back but had no response in the stretch and could only finish fifth. "The race went well," said his jockey, William Buick. "We were tracking California Chrome the whole way, but Frosted came off the bridle a little bit early. He wasn't as good today and I'm not sure why."[30]

 
Frosted at the 2016 Breeders' Cup Classic

Frosted returned to the United States, and was originally set to return to racing in the Suburban Handicap in early July. Frosted was training well though, so McLaughlin decided not to wait and entered Frosted in the Metropolitan Handicap, more popularly known as the Met Mile, run on June 11.[31] Frosted stalked the pace, then made a four-wide move around the turn and burst clear of the field, drawing off to win by 14+14 lengths while geared down.[32] The winning margin is believed to be the largest in the 132-year history of the race, and Frosted's time of 1:32.73 was a new stakes record. The Daily Racing Form called it "an absolutely scintillating performance."[31] After the race, McLaughin said it was one of the highlights of his training career: "Way up there in the top five, for sure. It's our biggest win for Godolphin ever... he's such a talented horse and has everything."[33] The win earned Frosted an automatic berth in the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile as part of the Breeders' Cup Challenge "Win and You're In" series.[34]

On August 6, Frosted entered the 1+18 mile Whitney Handicap at Saratoga as the 1-2 favorite against a field of five other horses. He broke well and went to the early lead, joined by Upstart and Noble Bird. The opening fractions were fast but Frosted was moving comfortably and opened a lead coming into the stretch, winning with ease by two lengths. "I knew he probably went a little too fast — more than normal," said Rosario. "Sometimes he's a little difficult, and you have to let him do what he wants to do, but when I turned for home I knew I had something left because I know the way he likes to run." With the victory, Frosted earned a "Win and You're In" berth for the 2016 Breeders' Cup Classic, thus qualifying for two different Breeders' Cup races.[35]

Frosted next entered the Woodward Stakes on September 3, where he was made the 2-5 favorite in a nine horse field. He broke poorly and raced in sixth place for the first half mile, further from the lead than was his custom. He started his move on the far turn, but was fanned extremely wide, losing a considerable amount of ground compared to horses running on the rail. Under a hand ride from Rosario, Frosted hit the lead in mid-stretch, only to have Shaman Ghost and Mubtahiij close ground rapidly in the final furlong. At the wire, four horses were heads apart, with Frosted in third. "It wasn't our day," said McLaughlin. "He had a bad trip and the winner ran big."[36][37] Rosario was criticized for not riding harder, although McLaughlin defended him by pointing out the horse's longstanding aversion to the whip. McLaughlin also noted that under the allowance conditions of the race, Frosted carried 4 pounds more weight than the winner, Shaman Ghost, and six pounds more than the runner-up, Mubtahiij.[38]

Frosted trained up to the Breeders' Cup, held at Santa Anita on November 5. His connections elected to enter him in the Classic, in which he was ranked behind both California Chrome and Arrogate, rather than entering him in the Dirt Mile, for which he would have been the likely favorite based on his performance in the Met Mile.[39] He was bumped at the start and again in the stretch and finished sixth.[40]

Statistics

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Date Age Distance Race Grade Track Odds Field Finish Winning time Winning
(Losing)
margin
Jockey Ref
Aug 23, 2014 2 6 furlongs Maiden Special Weight Maiden Saratoga 7.00 9 2 1:11.48 (11+12) lengths Rajiv Maragh [10]
Sep 20, 2014 2 6+12 furlongs Maiden Special Weight Maiden Belmont Park 3.50 11 2 1:16.11 (34) lengths Dylan Davis [11]
Oct 30, 2014 2 1 mile Maiden Special Weight Maiden Aqueduct 0.60 8 1 1:36.19 5+14 lengths Irad Ortiz [12]
Oct 30, 2014 2 1+18 mile Remsen Stakes II Aqueduct 1.80 13 2 1:51.06 (12) lengths Irad Ortiz [13]
Jan 24, 2015 3 1+116 miles Holy Bull Stakes II Gulfstream 1.50 9 2 1:43.61 (5+12) lengths Irad Ortiz [14]
Feb 21, 2015 3 1+116 miles Fountain of Youth Stakes II Gulfstream 3.80 8 4 1:46.28 (4+34) lengths Irad Ortiz [15]
Apr 4, 2015 3 1+18 miles Wood Memorial I Aqueduct 2.20 7 1 1:50.31 2 lengths Joel Rosario [41]
May 2, 2015 3 1+14 miles Kentucky Derby I Churchill Downs 10.30 18 4 2:03.02 (3+14) lengths Joel Rosario [17]
Jun 6, 2015 3 1+12 miles Belmont Stakes I Belmont Park 4.10 8 2 2:26.65 (5+12) lengths Joel Rosario [18]
Aug 1, 2015 3 1+18 miles Jim Dandy Stakes II Saratoga 0.75 4 2 1:48.77 (12) lengths Joel Rosario [42]
Aug 29, 2015 3 1+14 miles Travers Stakes I Saratoga 7.60 10 3 2:01.57 (3) lengths Jose Lezcano [23]
Sep 19, 2015 3 1+18 miles Pennsylvania Derby II Parx 1.00 9 1 1:50.04 2 lengths Joel Rosario [43]
Oct 31, 2015 3 1+14 miles Breeders' Cup Classic I Keeneland 11.30 8 7 2:00.07 (12+34) lengths Joel Rosario [26]
Feb 4, 2016 4 1900 metres (about 1+316 miles) Al Maktoum Challenge, Round 2 II Meydan 9 1 1:56.67 5 lengths William Buick [28]
Mar 26, 2016 4 2000 metres (about 1+14 miles) Dubai World Cup I Meydan 12 5 2:01.83 (5+14) lengths William Buick [44]
Jun 11, 2016 4 1 mile Metropolitan Handicap I Belmont Park 2.35 10 1 1:32.73 14+14 lengths Joel Rosario [32]
Aug 6, 2016 4 1+18 miles Whitney Handicap I Saratoga 0.50 6 1 1:47.77 2 lengths Joel Rosario [45]
Sep 3, 2016 4 1+18 miles Woodward Stakes I Saratoga 0.40 9 3 1:48.92 (head) Joel Rosario [37]
Nov 5, 2016 4 1+14 miles Breeders' Cup Classic I Santa Anita 8.40 9 6 2:00.11 (1512) lengths Joel Rosario [40]

Retirement and Stud Career

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After the Classic, Frosted was retired to stud at Jonabell Farm, the Kentucky division of Darley. His initial stud fee was $50,000.[46] It was announced Spring 2017 that Frosted would shuttle to Darley's stallion operation in Australia for the southern hemisphere breeding season.[47]

Frosted's first reported foal was a filly out of mare Snow Top Mountain born January 15 in Virginia. Snow Top Mountain won the Suwannee River Stakes and All Along Stakes and also produced Bob Hope Stakes winner Greyvitos by Malibu Moon.[48]

The first North American winner for Frosted was also a filly, a bay named Inject, who won on debut at Ellis Park in August 2020. Inject is out of the mare Appealing Zophie, who won the Spinaway Stakes while racing and produced 2017 Belmont Stakes winner Tapwrit.[49]

Colt Ingratiating was the first stakes winner worldwide for Frosted, and also his first stakes winner in Australia.[1]

His stud fee for the 2025 breeding season is $15,000.[50]

Progeny

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Frosted's top progeny include:[51][52]

Pedigree

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Frosted is by Tapit, the Leading sire in North America in 2014, 2015 and 2016. Tapit's other notable offspring include champions Stardom Bound, Hansel and Untapable, and 2014 Belmont Stakes winner Tonalist.[53]

Frosted's dam Fast Cookie won on turf and dirt, at sprint and longer distances, including a win in the Cotillion Handicap. She produced three winners from her first three starters: sprint winner Macaroon, also by Tapit, and With Sugar On Top by Unbridled's Song. Fast Cookie is by Deputy Minister, an outstanding broodmare sire. Fast Cookie's dam is Fleet Lady, who was also a stakes winner at sprint and longer distances, including the La Cañada Stakes. In addition to Fast Cookie, Fleet Lady produced Champion two-year-old colt Midshipman.[54]

Pedigree of Frosted (USA), gray colt, 2012[55]
Sire
Tapit (USA)
2001
Pulpit
1994
A.P. Indy Seattle Slew
Weekend Surprise
Preach Mr. Prospector
Narrate
Tap Your Heels
1996
Unbridled Fappiano
Gana Facil
Ruby Slippers Nijinsky
Moon Glitter
Dam
Fast Cookie
2000
Deputy Minister
1979
Vice Regent Northern Dancer
Victoria Regina
Mint Copy Bunty's Flight
Shakeney
Fleet Lady
1994
Avenue of Flags Seattle Slew
Beautiful Glass
Dear Mimi Roberto
Carnival Princess (Family: 16-g)[56]

Frosted is inbred 4 × 4 to Seattle Slew, meaning Seattle Slew appears twice in the fourth generation of Frosted's pedigree. He is also inbred 5 × 4 to Northern Dancer, and 4 × 5 to Mr. Prospector.

References

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  1. ^ a b "Frosted - Equibase Profile". www.equibase.com. Retrieved 24 November 2016.
  2. ^ Farrell, Mike (11 June 2016). "Frosted runs away with Metropolitan Handicap at Belmont". Washington Post. Archived from the original on 12 August 2016. Retrieved 13 June 2016.
  3. ^ Angst, Frank. "Frosted Carries Hopes of Sheikh Mohammed". BloodHorse.com. Retrieved 13 June 2016.
  4. ^ "Fast Cookie Offspring". www.pedigreequery.com. Retrieved 13 June 2016.
  5. ^ KT Report. "Godolphin crowned British Flat champion for 10th time - Khaleej Times". www.khaleejtimes.com. Retrieved 13 June 2016.
  6. ^ "Godolphin Named Outstanding Owner". BloodHorse.com.
  7. ^ "Sheikh Mohammed Honored With Special Eclipse Award". BloodHorse.com. Retrieved 14 June 2016.
  8. ^ Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum (26 March 2016). "Horse racing has come home - Dubai World Cup". english.alarabiya.net. Retrieved 14 June 2016.
  9. ^ "Kiaran McLaughlin: the day I realized horses don't need to run on medication". Thoroughbred Racing Commentary.
  10. ^ a b "Chart for August 23". equibase.com. Retrieved 13 June 2016.
  11. ^ a b "Chart for September 20". equibase.com. Retrieved 13 June 2016.
  12. ^ a b "Chart for October 30". equibase.com. Retrieved 13 June 2016.
  13. ^ a b "Chart for Remsen Stakes". equibase.com. Retrieved 13 June 2016.
  14. ^ a b "Chart for the Holy Bull". equibase.com. Retrieved 14 June 2016.
  15. ^ a b "Chart for Holy Bull Stakes". equibase.com. Retrieved 14 June 2016.
  16. ^ Powell, Dick. "Handicapping Insights". www.brisnet.com. Archived from the original on 20 October 2016. Retrieved 14 June 2016.
  17. ^ a b "Chart for the Kentucky Derby". equibase.com. Retrieved 13 June 2016.
  18. ^ a b "Belmont Park – June 6, 2015 – Race 11". Equibase. June 6, 2015. Retrieved June 6, 2015.
  19. ^ "Frosted headlines small Jim Dandy field at Saratoga". Times Union. 31 July 2015. Retrieved 14 June 2016.
  20. ^ "Jim Dandy: Texas Red Denies Frosted". BloodHorse.com. Retrieved 14 June 2016.
  21. ^ "Tricks of the Trade: Race Riding During The Travers". Paulick Report. 2 September 2015. Retrieved 14 June 2016.
  22. ^ Drape, Joe (29 August 2015). "Keen Ice Defeats American Pharoah at Travers Stakes". The New York Times. Retrieved 14 June 2016.
  23. ^ a b "Saratoga – August 29, 2015 – Race 11" (PDF). Equibase. August 29, 2015. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2015-09-06. Retrieved August 29, 2015.
  24. ^ "McLaughlin on Frosted's unplanned change of tactics". www.twinspires.com. Retrieved 14 June 2016.
  25. ^ "Frosted Ices Rivals in Pennsylvania Derby". BloodHorse.com. Retrieved 14 June 2016.
  26. ^ a b "Keeneland – October 31, 2015 – Race 11". Equibase. October 31, 2015. Retrieved October 31, 2015.
  27. ^ "Ten Things You Should Know: Dubai World Cup – Hello Race Fans!". helloracefans.com.
  28. ^ a b Angst, Frank. "Easy Win for Frosted in First Meydan Start". BloodHorse.com. Retrieved 14 June 2016.
  29. ^ "U.S. Contingent Gearing Up for World Cup". BloodHorse.com. Retrieved 14 June 2016.
  30. ^ "Dubai World Cup results". www.thenational.ae. Retrieved 14 June 2016.
  31. ^ a b Grening, David. "Frosted turns in a performance to remember in Met Mile". Daily Racing Form. Retrieved 14 June 2016.
  32. ^ a b "Chart for the Metropolitan Handicap". equibase.com. Retrieved 14 June 2016.
  33. ^ "'Speechless': McLaughlin Lays Out Plans For Met Mile Victor Frosted". Paulick Report. 12 June 2016. Retrieved 14 June 2016.
  34. ^ "Frosted Returns To Annihilate Competition In Met Mile". Paulick Report. 11 June 2016. Retrieved 14 June 2016.
  35. ^ Novak, Claire. "Frosted Dazzles in Whitney". bloodhorse.com. Retrieved 6 August 2016.
  36. ^ Wilkin, Tim (4 September 2016). "Frosted upset in Woodward at Saratoga Race Course". timesunion.com. Retrieved 6 September 2016.
  37. ^ a b "Chart for the Woodward Stakes". www.equibase.com. Retrieved 6 September 2016.
  38. ^ Hanson, Vance. "Woodward result leaves some players jaded, raises weighty issues". www.twinspires.com. Retrieved 6 September 2016.
  39. ^ Watchmaker, Mike. "Frosted belongs in Breeders' Cup Classic, not Dirt Mile". Daily Racing Form. Retrieved 24 November 2016.
  40. ^ a b "Chart of the 2016 Breeders' Cup Classic". Equibase. Retrieved 24 November 2016.
  41. ^ "Chart for the Wood Memorial". equibase.com. Retrieved 14 June 2016.
  42. ^ "Chart for Jim Dandy Stakes". equibase.com. Retrieved 14 June 2016.
  43. ^ "Pennsylvania Derby". equibase.com. Retrieved 14 June 2016.
  44. ^ "Results for Dubai World Cup Day". www.emiratesracing.com. Archived from the original on 29 March 2016. Retrieved 14 June 2016.
  45. ^ "Chart for the Whitney Handicap". equibase.com. Retrieved 6 August 2016.
  46. ^ "Multiple G1 Winner Frosted Retired, Joins Darley At Jonabell Roster For 2017 - Horse Racing News | Paulick Report". www.paulickreport.com. Retrieved 24 November 2016.
  47. ^ www.bloodhorse.com https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/220530/frosted-territories-will-shuttle-to-australia. Retrieved 2022-07-01. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  48. ^ www.bloodhorse.com https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/225607/frosteds-first-foal-is-a-filly. Retrieved 2022-07-01. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  49. ^ www.bloodhorse.com https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/242864/impressive-inject-becomes-first-winner-for-frosted. Retrieved 2022-07-01. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  50. ^ https://www.pedigreequery.com/frosted3
  51. ^ www.bloodhorse.com https://www.bloodhorse.com/stallion-register/stallions/169475/frosted. Retrieved 2022-07-01. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  52. ^ "Frosted | America". www.darleyamerica.com. Retrieved 2022-07-01.
  53. ^ "Tapit on Stallion Register Online". Stallion Register Online. Retrieved 6 August 2016.
  54. ^ "Kentucky Derby pedigree profiles: Frosted". Daily Racing Form. Retrieved 13 June 2016.
  55. ^ "Frosted Pedigree". www.equineline.com. Retrieved 15 June 2016.
  56. ^ "Frosted Horse Pedigree". www.pedigreequery.com. Retrieved 13 June 2016.