Carmel Coast Set to Test Herself in Frizette Stakes

After an impressive debut at Saratoga, Carmel Coast, the Whit Beckman-trained filly, faces a sterner test in Saturday’s G1 Frizette Stakes at Belmont Park, with an eye on the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies

Carmel Coast Seeks First G1 in Frizette / ADAM COGLIANESE / NYRA

SOUTH OZONE PARK, New York (Special for Turf Diario).- The Frizette Stakes (G1, $400,000) this Saturday at Belmont Park at the Big A will once again serve as a key barometer for two-year-old fillies with sights on the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) and the Kentucky Oaks (G1), and much of the attention will fall on Carmel Coast, the daughter of Omaha Beach who arrives after a dominating Saratoga debut looking to back up her early promise.

Racing in the colors of Legion Racing, MHM Stables, Ed Stefanski, and William Conlin, and trained by Whit Beckman, Carmel Coast delivered an authoritative performance on August 10, winning by 5 ½ lengths with an 86 Beyer, stalking solid fractions before drawing clear and then being eased late. “We’ve always liked her, but we didn’t expect her to do it so easily. Now we’ll see how she handles the added distance and tougher company,” said Beckman, who opted to wait for this engagement instead of the Spinaway Stakes.

The filly will again be ridden by Kendrick Carmouche and break from post 2. Her pedigree provides additional support: she is a granddaughter of Arch and a niece of Canadian champion Arravale, a multiple G1 winner and 2006 Horse of the Year.

The challenge, however, will be stiff. Among her chief rivals is the unbeaten filly trained by Danny Gargan and ridden by Joel Rosario, who has impressed in two Saratoga wins, including the Seeking the Ante, where she earned an 81 Beyer. The daughter of Authentic fetched $500,000 at OBS and now looks to translate her dominance to open company.

Hall-of-fame conditioner Todd Pletcher also fields a strong trio, led by Steer Clear (Street Sense), who comes off a victory following a failed bid against the millionaire Ornellaia, and sold for $575,000 at the Saratoga Select Sale. She is joined by Lovely Christina (Vekoma), another recent winner, and Icecreamforevryone (Gun Runner), who impressed in her debut despite a few miscues.

The race also features a competitive group trained by the red-hot Saffie Joseph Jr., including Rileytole (Mitole), third in the Spinaway Stakes; Secane (Audible), who debuted with nearly eight lengths of authority at Gulfstream; and the still-unbeaten Jetty’s Home (Enticed), who has shown consistency at Saratoga.

With the addition of Chopsticks (Essential Quality), undefeated after taking the Debutante at Ellis Park, along with winners Five Bars (Maxfield) and Rina’s Revenge (Yaupon), the 2025 edition of the Frizette presents as a wide-open and intriguing affair.

With Kentucky Oaks qualifying points and Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies entry credits at stake, this clash of talent at a mile promises plenty of excitement and could mark the emergence of a new star heading into the season’s finale.