Keen Ice works half-mile in Jockey Club Gold Cup prep

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Keen Ice still has five weeks before he makes his next start in the Jockey Club Gold Cup on Oct. 7, so trainer Todd Pletcher wasn’t looking for much from him in a half-mile workout on Saturday with Far From Over.

The work was completed in 49.39 seconds over the Oklahoma track.

“We’re not trying to overdo it at the moment, just trying to keep him turning over until we get more serious, but he seems to be doing well,” Pletcher said.

Far From Over, a well-beaten second to Tom’s D’Etat in an allowance here earlier in the meet, is being pointed to Saturday’s $100,000 Seattle Slew Stakes at Belmont Park.

“That was a pretty good work from him to stay with Keen Ice throughout, so that was encouraging,” Pletcher said.

Pletcher also worked Lucy N Ethel, last year’s Prioress winner who could make her return in the Grade 2, $300,000 Gallant Bloom at Belmont on Sept. 24, and March X Press, winner of the Bolton Landing who worked a half-mile in 50.17 with Sugar Queen. March X Press is pointing to the Grade 1 Natalma at Woodbine on Sept. 17. Sugar Queen, third in the Bolton Landing, will run in either the Miss Grillo at Belmont on Oct. 1 or the Jessamine at Keeneland on Oct. 11, Pletcher said.

Outplay, winner of the Curlin Stakes here July 28, worked five furlongs in 1:00.97 in company with the maiden Copper Town. Outplay is targeting the Grade 1, $1 million Pennsylvania Derby at Parx Racing on Sept. 23.

◗ Monday is closing day at Saratoga. Following three dark days, racing on this circuit resumes Friday as Belmont Park’s fall meet begins for a 36-day run through Oct. 29. The first two weeks of the meet, racing will be conducted Friday through Sunday, before going to a five-day race week beginning Sept. 20.