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Frost Giant prevails in Suburban shocker
With no serious threats coming from the back of the field, Solar Flare, at nearly 5-1, easily held second by three lengths and paid $7 and $4.30. Rising Moon (Runaway Groom), who raced wide throughout while tracking in fourth early, edged Harlington (Unbridled) by a neck for third and returned $4 at 4-1. Following Harlington under the line were Merchant Marine (Tiznow), 6-5 favorite A. P. Arrow (A.P. Indy), Naughty New Yorker and Hunting (Coronado's Quest). Frost Giant was entered in a race at Belmont Park on Wednesday, but was scratched in what would ultimately prove to be a wise decision. "Rudy, I've got to tell you, gave this horse a very good ride," Dutrow said. "For the last two or three weeks, this horse settled down in the mornings. This was mostly Rudy, not just today, but in the mornings. You could see it happening. "I'll be all right now. This gets me back in the game." Owned in a partnership that also includes Andrew Cohen and Pegasus Holding Group Stables, Frost Giant, a $600,000 Keeneland September sale purchase, began his career with Aidan O'Brien in Europe, where he was a multiple Group 3 winner. His biggest scores occurred in the 2005 Killavullan S. (Ire-G3) and the Kilternan S. (Ire-G3). Frost Giant made his American debut in the fall of 2006, where he was fifth in the Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Invitational (G1) and seventh in the Hollywood Derby (G1). Third in an allowance in his only start of 2007, Frost Giant returned to the track this past January, winning two Gulfstream allowances, but then ran fourth in the Skip Away H. (G3) and eighth in an allowance/optional claimer at Churchill Downs. In his start prior to the Suburban, Frost Giant was a half-length second in an allowance/optional claimer over the Monmouth turf. With the Suburban victory, Frost Giant improved his record to 13-4-2-2 with earnings of $454,254. Frost Giant is the first foal out of the Gone West mare Takesmybreathaway, who was unplaced in two starts in England. She has also produced Shakeyourbody, an unraced two-year-old full sister to Frost Giant, and a 2008 colt by Storm Cat. Takesmybreathaway, a half-sister to stakes winner and sire Mutakddim (Seeking the Gold), descends from a prominent Phipps family-owned group of broodmares. Her second dam, Grade 1 winner Dance Number (Northern Dancer), produced the 1989 two-year-old champion colt, Rhythm (Mr. Prospector). Takesmybreathaway's third dam, Numbered Account (Buckpasser), was champion two-year-old filly of 1971 and would eventually produce multiple Grade 1 winner Private Account (Damascus), the sire of Hall of Fame champion fillies Personal Ensign and Inside Information, plus 1988 Suburban H. (G1) winner Personal Flag.
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