In-depth analysis of the 2015 Haskell Stakes including Pace Figures and Form Cycle Pattern of each starter. Please refer to the Legend or Pattern Guide for back-up definitions and patterns.
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Pace Figures and
Past Performances.
Keen Ice (12/1)
Here's what we had to say about Keen Ice prior to the Belmont Stakes.
Keen Ice ran a sneaky good Kentucky Derby on the track and from a Pace Figure perspective. He finished with a 77.7 final figure, his best lifetime final figure by almost four points, while running a 4f figure of just 60, also a lifetime low. His dirt spread (final figure minus the four furlong figure) was 17.7, the largest in the field. Visually speaking, Keen Ice was 14th at the top of the stretch; he had to zigzag through horses and got knocked off his right lead at the sixteenth pole (horses in North America lead with their left on turns and right on straight-aways). And while this had no impact on where he finished, it does allow for some belief that he could improve off that effort without trouble. Sired by Curlin (who ran second in the Belmont in 2007), Keen Ice's half-brother, Palace Malice won the 2013 Belmont Stakes. Breeding wise, at least on the top (from the dad), Keen Ice is solid.
A late closing third in the Belmont Stakes, Keen Ice ran well as expected while posting a 77.3 final figure, just a few tickets lighter than his 77.7 in the Derby.
The Play: Fringe Contender – he picks a good spot to return to racing and with his late closing kick in a race with little more than grade III miler's, Keen Ice is our pick to run second to Pharoah.
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