RIVER KEEN (Ire) (Keen), winner of the 1999 Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1) and
Woodward S. (G1), was represented by his first winner on Friday when his
three-year-old son River Officer captured Aqueduct’s 2ND race. Making his second
career start for trainer Pat Kelly, River Officer raced on the front end of the
one-mile maiden special weight event before drawing off and winning by a length.
He stopped the teletimer over the good track in 1:40 2/5.
Bred in Ireland by Ballylinch Stud, River Keen began his racing career in
Europe and made his U.S. debut in 1997. He was claimed for $100,000 near the end
of 1998, and his form improved significantly the following season under the
direction of conditioner Bob Baffert. The chestnut captured the Bel Air H. (G2)
and finished second in the Pacific Classic (G1) before taking the Jockey Club
and Woodward. The 13-year-old stallion campaigned over seven seasons and earned
more than $1.6 million from a 42-11-5-5 line.
River Keen stands at Metropolitan Stud near Pine Plains, New York, for a
$5,000 live foal fee.