Keep Hope Alive

Dear Partners and Friends,

We knew Keen Ice was up against it yesterday trying to succeed at the short, short distance (for him) of a mile and a sixteenth. Complicating matters was the fact that Gulfstream uses the short stretch for this distance, making it the shortest stretch run of any major track in North America.

As if that didn't make the hill steep enough for Ice, the pace totally evaporated as the colts in front went in 24.2, 48.4 and 112.2. Impossible to close fast against those fractions.

So any good news? Absolutely!

1. Despite getting hit hard coming out of the gate (as noted by chart rider) and losing a couple lengths, Ice (under leading Florida rider Edgar Zayas) put himself right back into the race. Unlike last Fall when Ice tended to lose contact with the field he was much sharper yesterday, as his breezes indicated he would be.

2. Ice made a very strong move to the front pack on the back stretch only to get checked and stopped by the horse outside him. I have yet to see the head on replay, but Dale indicates there was nothing Zayas could have done. One of the toughest things in horse racing is to have your momentum stopped and then try to get rolling again.

3. When Ice got into the stretch and changed leads, he really took off. Ice ran the second fastest final fraction of the race and the second fastest final fraction of the day. Zayas said that if Ice had not been checked he would have finished second.

4. Ice earned a nice move forward Beyer rating of 87. The winner ran a 105.

5. And finally, when Dale and I went out onto the track, Ice was dead calm. As in not even breathing deeply. Or visibly. In all my years in horse racing I have never seen a horse so unaffected by exertion. We haven't come close to getting to the bottom of this horse and that is good because we don't need to do that until May 2.

What next? We will be evaluating all of our choices this week. Sadly, most of them are at a mile and a sixteenth again in the 50 point races. In my heart I feel that this horse can win the Kentucky Derby if we can just get him there. Watch the gallop out from yesterday and you will see why I feel that way. And I was not alone. Joel Rosario's agent, Ron Anderson, said if he could have one horse from yesterday's race to try and win the Derby this year it would be Keen Ice.  

In other news yesterday, two fillies with Donegal connections finished first and third in the seven furlong Grade II tenth race.

Team Forum Racing, headed up by Donegal Partner Tom Camp (and a number of other Donegal partners), came away winners with Birdonthewire. Bird was visually stunning as she laid off incredible fractions of 22.2, 45.1 and 111.3. Where were those fractions when Ice needed them?! Bird earned a strong 86 Beyer for her efforts. Albaugh Family Stable's Taylor S finished third. This daughter of Miss Macy Sue (a dominant Iowa filly) helped make the running and was still going strong at the end. Very possible that Donegal filly PUCA could face these two at some point, as it seems excellent fillies are popping up everywhere. Exacta box anyone?

Next up will be February 7 at Santa Anita. We know Finnegan will go that day and it is at least 50-50 that Rock Shandy will as well.

On February 21, PUCA will likely make her debut at Gulstream. We are working on those details now.

Also coming our way with dates not yet determined are the first starts of Dunbrody and The Big Wind, along with a return to the races by Irish You Well.  

Tomorrow you will receive some good news about the Saratoga meet. Hint: You won't need your car this summer when you visit the Spa.

And finally, we have had the best ever response to the names selected by the Right Honorable Naming Committee. And we still have one to go. I am very grateful to the Committee and it seems most of you are too!

So...Shut the Box.

Jerry