Donegal Racing
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From Paul Harvey...

January 20, 2015

Dear Partners and Friends, 

Yesterday I promised you "the rest of the story" on Keen Ice switching gears and going to the Holy Bull this Saturday at Gulfstream rather than Feb. 7 at Aqueduct.

Before getting to the rest of the story, I thought you might enjoy some of the comments in response to yesterday's email that raised the Colts/Pats issue:

David D'Allesandro: "The Colts should have stayed home to avoid the embarrassment."

Dr. Rick Wright: "I know just how the Colts feel...the Pats cheated the Rams in 2012."

John Sasso: "Why pass along comments critical of the champions?"

And on and on. Good stuff!

Here are the key factors leading to yesterday's decision:

1. Avoid the cost and risk of travel to New York.

2. $400,000 vs. $250,000 in purse money.

3. Keen Ice has been training well. Highly regarded workout commentator Bruno DeJulio says Keen Ice has been training, "lights out" the last month.

While the track is speed favoring at Gulfstream, it has showed flashes of fairness this past week. The inner track at Aqueduct is also notoriously speed favoring in the winter.

We are riding E. J. Zayas, who many of you have asked about. Zayas is an up and coming rider who finished fourth in North America last year in wins. He was leading rider by a mile in both 2014 and 2013 in Florida. Not yet well known outside Florida, but doing a great job down there.  

For Keen Ice a third or better would be a huge win going this short distance. This is a horse coming to hand who will only show us his best going a mile and a quarter. Several publications have pointed out that he is tied for first in best stamina breeding of any Derby trail colt.

I think we will see a horse Saturday that is doing well and moving forward toward our May 2 goal.

Jerry

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