No More Options and jockey Kazushi Kimura winning the Frost King Stakes on October 28, 2023, at Woodbine (Michael Burns Photo)
Chris Lomon, Woodbine Communications / @WoodbineComms
TORONTO, Ont. – No More Options was full of run late to take the $100,000 Frost King Stakes on Saturday at Woodbine.
With a patient Kazushi Kimura at the controls, No More Options, a son of Frac Daddy-Stoney Miss, watched his rivals slug it out on the front end before assuming command with a strong inside surge in the 6 ½-furlong main track affair for Ontario-sired 2-year-olds, going on score in his first stakes appearance.
Sent off at 16-1, second longest shot on the board, the Zeljko Krcmar trainee sat fourth along the rail through an opening quarter in :22.97 established by Garofoli and remained fourth after a half-mile timed in :45.89.
Once the five-horse field straightened for home, Kimura had No More Options in top gear. The pair were third at the stretch call and then powered home to notch a 2 ½-length triumph in the milestone victory. Siesta Beach rallied along the rail to finish second, three-quarters of a length ahead of 1-5 choice Junior Hot Shot.
The final time was 1:16.44.
“I would say this one may have needed more ground, but he stayed close and finished up really strong,” said Kimura.
Bred by Laurel Byrne and owned by Mary Self, the dark bay colt improved his record to 2-0-2 from four starts while winning his second straight race.
“We’re very, very happy, and I’m happy for my dad,” said Self. “Eighty-two-years-old and this is a big deal for him. That’s why I do it, for my dad. I just knew he’d find a place. Kazushi will always find a place, so I had full faith in him, and the horse is just incredible. I’m very blessed.
“I like older horses I know are going to win,” continued Self. “We found him [No More Options] at the OBS sale and he just stood out. He’s my second 2-year-old ever. Lord of Legends did great for us, and he’s number two, and he’s wonderful.”
After a pair of thirds to start his career, No More Options broke his maiden before the Frost King, a 6 ½-length romp over one mile on the inner turf on October 8.
No More Options paid $34.20 for the win. Hatmaker Gizmo and Olivia Rose were scratched.
