Frosted Departure and Two Eagles River battled the entire length of the stretch, but at the wire it was Frosted Departure that came out on top with a head victory to claim the Renaissance Stakes at Oaklawn Park on Saturday, 31 December.
The hard-knocking two-year-old colt by Frosted was winning for the third time in nine career starts. The Renaissance was the colt’s first Stakes win.
Frosted Departure broke alertly and was settled into second early, racing just off the flank of leader Count de Monet. Two Eagles River, who was sent off as the favorite in the field of six, missed the break and had to be hustled up into contention early before settling just behind the leading pair in third.
Count de Monet continued to hold a slight lead heading into the far turn, but both Frosted Departure and Two Eagles River moved up to challenge, and those three ran in tandem as they hit the top of the lane. Frosted Departure and Two Eagles River quickly put Count de Monet away and the race was down to just that duo as they battled to the finish. At the wire it was Frosted Departure that came out on top by a head over his rival, with Bourbon Bash closing late to take third.
Frosted Departure was bred in Kentucky by Alastar Thoroughbred Company and is out of Undeterred, a winning daughter of More Than Ready. In addition to the Renaissance winner, Undeterred has produced Stakes winner Kynlie’s Empire (by Classic Empire) and Graded Stakes-placed Preservancia (California Chrome). Also found in the immediate family are G2 winners Dream About (Cherokee Run), Rocketry (Hard Spun) and Deeply Undervalued (Kitten’s Joy).
In addition to Frosted Departure, Frosted is also the sire of the promising juvenile colts Arctic Arrogance, winner of the Sleepy Hollow Stakes and a close second in the G2 Remsen Stakes, and Post Time, winner of the Maryland Juvenile Stakes. Frosted is also represented by Canadian Sovereign Award-winning Champion 3-year-old colt, Frosted Over; Half is Enough, winner of the Glen Cove Stakes and Macron, winner of the Iowa Sprint Stakes.
Frosted will stand the 2023 breeding season at Jonabell Farm in Kentucky for $10,000, stands and nurses.
