Romans expects Keen Ice to run big in Louisiana Derby

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Nobody was running any better at the end of the Grade 2 Risen Star than Keen Ice, and trainer Dale Romans is expecting an even better performance when his top Kentucky Derby hopeful returns to Fair Grounds and stretches out another sixteenth of a mile later this month in the Grade 2 Louisiana Derby.

Keen Ice turned in his first work since the Risen Star here at Gulfstream Park on Wednesday, going five furlongs from the half-mile pole in 1:00.98, with his final quarter-mile to the wire in 23.85 seconds.

“I’m pretty happy with where he is right now,” Romans said by phone from Kentucky shortly after the work. “He showed a lot more maturity in the Risen Star than in his previous races. I think he’s starting to figure this game out a bit right now and is peaking at the right time. With the extra distance, I expect his best race ever in the Louisiana Derby.”

:: ROAD TO THE KENTUCKY DERBY: Prep races, point standings, replays

Romans also will be in action here Saturday when he sends out one of the favorites, Taylor S, in the $75,000 Any Limit Stakes. Taylor S finished third behind her stablemate Birdatthewire while rating off the pace for the first time in the Grade 2 Forward Gal earlier this winter. Like the Forward Gal, the Any Limit is carded at seven furlongs.

“I was very pleased with her last start,” said Romans. “But I decided to skip the Davona Dale with her and await this race because I wanted to keep her sprinting. I didn’t want to stretch her out to a mile at this point.”

Romans also nominated his Grade 2 winner Cristina’s Journey for the Any Limit but said he’s going to wait and have her make her 3-year-old debut in the Grade 2 Gulfstream Oaks on March 28.Along with Taylor S, the Any Limit lineup will nclude the undefeated Dogwood Trail, Spark, Unhindered, Perchance, Miss Wilby, and Coco's Wildcat.