Three Chimneys’ sales grad Keen Ice staged a thrilling stretch rally to best Triple Crown champion American Pharoah in Saturday’s $1.6 million Travers S. (G1) at Saratoga.
Keen Ice, who was purchased by Three Chimney vice Chairman Doug Cauthen for their pinhooking partnership, sold Keen Ice as a yearling for $120,000 at the 2013 Keeneland September sale, where the son of Curlin was bought by Jerry Donegal’s Donegal Racing.
Mid-pack through six furlongs, which went in 1:11.48, in the field of 10, Javier Castellano guided Keen Ice closer to the rail after being forced four-wide around the first turn. Around the final bend and into the stretch, American Pharoah and Frosted were battling for the lead. Frosted began to weaken at the eighth pole, while Keen Ice was finding his best stride. American Pharoah battled, but Keen Ice was too much in the final 50 yards, winning by three-quarters of a length in 2:01.57 on the fast track.
“I followed those two horses (American Pharoah and Frosted), and I just kept tracking and following with them,” said Castellano. “At some point, when turning for home, I saw the horses slow down and start coming back to me, so I knew that I had a chance to win the race. I expected this kind of effort from him today, after I worked him the one time last week. We were a good fit and I thought I had a real good chance to win the race. My horse ran a hard race and to beat American Pharoah, that’s a good race.”
Keen Ice has been competitive all year long through the Triple Crown trail, finishing third in the Risen Star S. (G2) before a very troubled seventh in the Kentucky Derby (G1). He then finished third in the Belmont S. (G1) and second in the Haskell Inv. (G1). With Saturday’s win, he became racing’s newest millionaire with earnings of $1,490,395.
Keen Ice was bred in Kentucky by Glencrest Farm and is the first foal out of the Awesome Again mare Medomak, sister to Grade 3 Salvatore Mile winner Coal Play.
Trainer Dale Romans said Keen Ice will likely train up to the Oct. 31 Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) at Keeneland.
