Sunday, July 27, 2008

Frostad’s latest turf ‘Kraze’ takes Wonder Where

TORONTO, July 26 - Northern Kraze rallied gamely in the final furlong to capture Saturday's $250,000 Wonder Where Stakes at Woodbine.

The 1 1/4-mile turf event is the third jewel of the Triple Tiara series for three-year-old fillies, foaled in Canada.

Northern Kraze wore down 15-1 shot Roses 'n' Wine in the final 40 yards to tally her first career added-money event by three-quarters of a length. Money My Honey, the 3-1 favorite, finished third, almost 11 lengths behind the runner-up.


The running time, over a 'yielding' course, was 2:06.78.

Jockey Chantal Sutherland said she was concerned early that the Mark Frostad trainee was too eager.

"Around the hairpin, I was concerned," said Sutherland. "I had a good hold and she was responding to me."

Up the backstretch, Roses 'n' Wine was the clear leader in the 12-horse field. Northern Kraze made a quick move to the front-runner's inside. The early bid was quickly repelled by Roses 'n' Wine, who cantered away from her rival.

Late on the second turn, Sutherland guided Northern Kraze to the outside for a second shot at the Dave Bell-trained leader. She utilized most of the course's long stretch to pass the stubborn runner-up.

The Wonder Where was the second consecutive victory for the filly, who is owned by Frostad and Anderson Farms.

The filly's stock is on the rise, considering one month ago, the daughter of Aljabr was still a zero-for-6 maiden. On July 1, after three straight defeats over Woodbine's Polytrack, Northern Kraze broke her maiden in style. The event proved to be a perfect confidence-booster heading into the Wonder Where.

"She's turf and proved it today," said co-owner Bob Anderson. "We tried her on the Poly and she really didn't want any part of it."

Frostad said she won't be returning to the synthetic surface.

"We're not going to go back to the Poly," affirmed Frostad. "Chantal did a great job relaxing her. She came on strong at the end and ran a great race."

Anderson, who bred the filly, said the victory was special.

"It's very special. I've been friends with (Mark Frostad) since we were kids," he said. "I couldn't get a bid on this one at the sale. I threw my arm up, trying to get it started. I ended up with it. (Mark) said, 'I quite liked her. I'll take half.' Early on, he said this filly is special."

The bay filly showed flashes of greatness on the turf as a two-year-old. In her second career start, she finished a close fourth against seasoned colts and geldings, defeated just one length, in the Cup & Saucer.

Northern Kraze increased her earnings to $238,635.

Northern Kraze returned $17.20, $8.60, $5.80, combining with Roses 'n' Wine ($16.50, $9.40) for a $265.20 exactor. Money My Honey ($3.40) rounded out a $1,428.40 triactor.

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