Keen Ice Nears Return, Irish Freedom to Rest

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Photo: Chad Harmon
Keen Ice at last year's Breeders' Cup.

Donegal Racing's Keen Ice continues to work well as the 2015 Travers Stakes (gr. I) winner prepares for a return to racing.

Donegal Racing president Jerry Crawford said trainer Todd Pletcher was thrilled with a recent five-furlong breeze by Keen Ice—particularly the run-out. Keen Ice registered five furlongs in 1:01.22 Sept. 9 at Belmont Park which was third-fastest of 22 at the distance.

Keen Ice is preparing for his first start since an eighth-place finish March 26 in the Dubai World Cup presented by Emirates Airline. Since then the 4-year-old son of Curlin   was moved from trainer Dale Romans to Pletcher.

The Sept. 9 work marked the fifth breeze for Keen Ice since Aug. 12. Crawford said a return race has not yet been determined, he expects a decision will be made after one or two more works. 

Meanwhile, promising Donegal Racing juvenile Irish Freedom will be rested in the hopes of a return for next year's Triple Crown trail after suffering a pastern injury, Crawford said.

Trained by Bob Baffert, Irish Freedom registered a victory in his maiden special weight debut Aug. 21 at Del Mar. The son of Pioneerof the Nile   completed that six-furlong race in 1:10.55 to earn a three-quarter length victory.

"He doesn't need surgery or anything so we hope he'll be back for the Triple Crown season next year," Crawford said.