Desormeaux Picks Up Derby Mount With Keen Ice
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Kent Desormeaux picked up his 18th career mount in the Kentucky Derby by Presented Yum! Brands (gr. I) the morning of April 24.
The Hall of Fame jockey said Friday he'll be aboard Keen Ice in the Run for the Roses May 2. The Curlin colt owned by Donegal Racing was 21st on the Kentucky Derby Leaderboard, but made the field after the news that Todd Pletcher trainee Madefromlucky will pass on a Derby run.
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"It was an exciting morning with news like that," said the 45-year-old rider, who has three Kentucky Derby wins on his resume (Real Quiet in 1998, Fusaichi Pegasus in 2000, and Big Brown in 2008).
Keen Ice acquired 22 points in the standings for trainer Dale Romans with a fourth-place finish in the March 28 Louisiana Derby (gr. II) and thirds in the Risen Star (gr. II) and Remsen (gr. II). He figures to be a significant longshot, but that doesn't dissuade Desormeaux, who saw his earlier Derby hopes fall through when Sentient Jet Breeders' Cup Juvenile (gr. I) winner Texas Red was declared off the trail in early March and Prospect Park was ruled out earlier this month.
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"How many people bet Giacomo ? How many people bet Mine that Bird?" Desormeaux said of runners who won the Derby at odds of 50-1. "You've gotta take a shot."