Keep Up posts final major move for River City 'Cap defense

The racing career for Keep Up consists of just 17 races

spanning four racing seasons. Out of 1998 Kentucky Oaks-winning millionaire Keeper Hill,

Keep Up was plagued early on by injuries that limited him to a total of just five races in

2010 and 2011.

However, last year he won four of six starts and, while he

has collected only a pair of wins in six races this year, Clarkson believes that

his veteran is gearing up for a big finish on the season. Saturday's work at

Keeneland was the second-fastest of 26 at the distance and followed a strong

five-furlong move in 1:00 eight days earlier.

"We'll have a month since his last race and his breezes

over the last two weeks" Clarkson said. "He has never been better, so I'm

delighted for him."

Clarkson's only significant concern heading into next

Saturday's River City is that jockey Miguel Mena will not be available to ride

Keep Up. Mena was aboard for last year's River City win and his recent victory

at Keeneland, but he is committed to ride on Saturday at Delta Downs.

Clarkson has been able to secure a more-than-capable

substitute in Corey Lanerie, a three-time riding champion at Churchill Downs and

the current leader in the race for the fall meet's top jockey.

"It would be nice to have someone who knows the horse,"

Clarkson said, "but all Corey has to do is watch the last replay and he'll have

no problem."

The career of Keep Up has been a tribute to both Clarkson's

horsemanship and medical progress. He had tendon issues in his right-hind leg

prior to joining Clarkson's stable and it took time for his new trainer to get

return him to the races.

"When I got him he had the stem cell in his right-hind

tendon and it took 120 days of jogging to bring him back to normal," Clarkson

said. "He just went on with it from there. He's a big horse -- he's about 17-one

(hands). He's massive, but he's kind. He's a nice horse to be around and we

spend a lot of time with him."

So Keep Up is a "big horse" for

Clarkson in every sense of the phrase. But that size has worked against the

horse in some of his races this year. While his trainer believes Keep Up is

primed for a very strong effort, he wouldn't mind if his star is blessed with a

little racing luck.

"He needs to get a clear run," Clarkson explained. "He's so big

you can't stop him -- (he'll) lose momentum if you check him. In his first two

races this year he got knocked sideways (in a race at Keeneland) and then he

stumbled leaving the gate (at Churchill Downs). He can't afford to do these

things and win."

Keep Up will bring a career record of 17-7-1-4 and earnings

of $299,382 heading into his attempt to win a second consecutive running of the

River City.

If he completes the double's he'll be one of only three

River City winners to do so. The last horse to win back-to-back runnings of the

River City was Dr. Kashnikow in 2001-02. Same Old Wish also won consecutive

renewals in 1996-97.

Horses considered as possible River City starters by

racing officials include 2012 Jamaica Handicap winner King David, multiple Grade

3 victor Daddy Nose

Best, Grade 2 scorer Guys Reward, multiple Grade 2-placed Grand Arch, this

year's Dixie conqueror Skyring, Villandry and Set the Sail.

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