ICE BOX TO BE IN THE MONEY AT THIS YEARS DERBY! USE HIM IN EXACTA BOXES AND TO RUN FIRST AND SECOND IN THE TRI AND SUPER!

Kentucky Derby 2010 | Ice Box has the ability

Colt fares well vs. top horses

Ice Box isn't coming into Saturday's 136th Kentucky Derby cold-calling on the top Triple Crown contenders. Last week's bullet workout at Churchill Downs sold his supporters on the fact that Ice Box is red hot for the premier showdown of 3-year-old thoroughbreds.
But it was his victory by a nose in the GradeI Florida Derby at odds of 21-1 over Pleasant Prince that earned him enough money to make a trip to the Run for the Roses. The Gulfstream Park effort also earned him a reputation as a strong closer. Ice Box has won 3of7 lifetime starts and is sixth on the Derby's graded stakes earnings list with $457,500.

“We were happy with his win in the Florida Derby,” said trainer Nick Zito, who has teamed with owner Robert LaPenta on three previous Kentucky Derby starters: The Cliff's Edge, fifth in 2004; Andromeda's Hero, eighth in 2005; and Cool Coal Man, 15th in 2008.

The timing of the Florida Derby puts six weeks between starts for Ice Box. But his workout last Friday didn't throw any cold water on Zito's Derby plans, when the colt had the fastest time for a half-mile workout, 462/5 seconds. Zito had Ice Box out again Monday for a gallop of about 11/2 miles with exercise rider Dennis Chavez.

Zito said he can draw some comparisons between Ice Box and his first Derby winner, Strike the Gold in 1991.

“Just like Strike the Gold, he's a late-developing horse,” Zito said. “He ran in Florida … ran the right races. Of course, Strike the Gold finished second in the Florida Derby and this horse won.

“I like his chances, I really do. … It's good to have a horse this week training the way he does.”

Ice Box, who will have Jose Lezcano riding, also has the breeding: The chestnut colt was sired by Pulpit, fourth in the 1997 Derby, and his second dam, Crown of Sheba, is a half-sister to 1985 Derby winner and Horse of the Year Spend A Buck.

LaPenta became involved in thoroughbred racing in 1998, when he signed on as one of basketball coach Rick Pitino's partners, then launched his own stable in 2001. LaPenta, who is CEO of L-1 Identity Solutions, also was the founder of L-3 Communications.

With Monday's defection of Rule, Zito-trained Jackson Bend joined the top 20 Derby list based on graded stakes earnings, with $230,000. LaPenta owns the Florida-bred colt with the breeders, Fred and Jane Brei's Jacks or Better Farm.

Jackson Bend, who will be ridden by Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith, heads into Saturday's showdown off three runner-up finishes this year in graded stakes. He was second in the GradeIII Holy Bull, the GradeII Fountain of Youth and the GradeI Wood Memorial, the last two behind Eskendereya. As a 2-year-old Jackson Bend reeled off five wins in six starts.

“We're very excited to have him in there,” said Zito, who also had Jackson Bend out for a long gallop on a misty Monday morning. “He's certainly worthy of a start, that's for sure, being second two times to Eskendereya in two big races. He's kind of a gem of consistency, that's what we want. … He really didn't duck anybody to get in this field.”

Paul Rolfes can be reached at (502) 582-4221. http://www.courier-journal.com