Keen Ice Improved Since Belmont Stakes Run

Donegal Racing's classic-placed Keen Ice looked a picture galloping on a sunny summer morning Saturday, Aug. 1 at Monmouth Park as he wrapped up work for the Aug. 2 William Hill Haskell Invitational Stakes (gr. I).

Trainer Dale Romans said watching Keen Ice look good in the mornings has been a familiar sight of late. He said the Curlin   colt has improved since his third-place finish in the Belmont Stakes Presented by DraftKings (gr. I) June 6 at Belmont Park.

"It seems like every day I've had him, every day has been a better day for him," Romans said. "The way he trained this morning is as good a horse can train. So physically, mentally I think he's ready. It's just a matter of having enough talent."

In the Belmont Keen Ice finished 7 1/2 lengths behind American Pharoah, who also will be making his first start since the that 1 1/2-mile test in Sunday's Haskell. Romans said if American Pharoah is at his best, he'll be tough to beat. But Romans said Keen Ice has never been better and the trainer has enjoyed watching him progress.

Last year Keen Ice earned his maiden victory at Churchill Downs in his second career start; and he earned a stakes-placing his final start of the season, a third in the Remsen Stakes (gr. II) at Aqueduct Racetrack. While Keen Ice has not won a stakes, he has earned placings in the Belmont and the Risen Star Stakes (gr. II) at Fair Grounds, where he finished third.

"Keen Ice has always been like a 7-foot seventh grader playing basketball when we started with him," Romans said. "Now he's ready for the NBA. He's come a long way."

Kent Desormeaux is scheduled to ride Keen Ice but after the jockey failed a breathalyzer Thursday at Del Mar, Romans has lined up a back-up rider in Corey Lanerie. Desormeaux has not been suspended and Romans said he expects him to ride.

"Hopefully Kent is fine. I think he is," Romans said.