Irish Freedom helps Baffert turn page on Travers

DEL MAR, Calif. – Irish Freedom, a 2-year-old colt by Pioneerof the Nile who won his debut Sunday at Del Mar, is owned by Donegal Racing, the same outfit whose Keen Ice upset American Pharoah in last year’s Travers Stakes.

Bob Baffert trained American Pharoah, and he also trains Irish Freedom, with Donegal’s Jerry Crawford having sent him horses.

“I told those guys I never thought I’d like looking at those Keen Ice colors,” Baffert said of the winner’s circle scene Sunday. “We’re going to call them the Irish Freedom colors now, not the Keen Ice colors.”

Baffert called Irish Freedom’s win “workmanlike” but said he expects far better when the colt goes longer and having had racing experience.

“He’s still a little soft,” Baffert said. “He’s big and carries a lot of flesh. That race ought to tighten him up a little bit.”