Ron Clarkson’s Phil’s Cocktail swept to the lead at the top of the lane and never looked back to capture Saturday’s $125,000 Frost King Stakes, at Woodbine.
Trained by John LeBlanc Jr., the bay son of Philanthropist-Sunset Cocktail arrived at the seven furlong ‘Poly’ stake for Ontario-sired juveniles from a fourth-place finish behind Frost King rivals Goodoldhockeygame, Super Colerosa and Seffeara in the Bull Page Stakes on September 27.
Davy Moran settled Phil’s Cocktail into fifth position in the Frost King as Executive One set splits of :23.09 and :46.09 as the speedy Seffeara raced in second under a hold.
Moran urged Phil’s Cocktail into contention through the turn and swept three-wide to the lead at the top of the lane en route to a 2 1/4-length victory. The previously undefeated Goodoldhockeygame rallied for place, a length better than Super Colerosa.
Phil’s Cocktail covered seven furlongs in 1:22.94 for a confident Moran.
“I was pushed a little wide (into the stretch), but I just let him get on about it,” said Moran. “We were pretty confident that the trip would be good for him, because we think he’ll have no trouble going two turns. He’s a beautiful moving horse.”
Phil’s Cocktail debuted with a second-place run to Super Colerosa on July 20 when travelling just five furlongs. The improving bay gelding broke through second time out with a length score sprinting six furlongs on August 4, setting up a smart 2 1/2-length victory in the Simcoe Stakes on August 27.
Bred in Ontario by his owner, Phil’s Cocktail banked $75,000 in victory while improving his record to 3-1-0 from five starts.
He returned $15.50, $4.70 and $3.10, pairing with Goodoldhockeygame ($3.10, $2.10) for a $46.90 (8-5) exactor. An 8-5-7 (Super Colerosa, $2.90 to show) triactor was worth $168.10, while a $1 Superfecta [8-5-7-1 (Kingsport)] came back $525.15. Three Ring Circus was scratched.
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