The 19th Running of the G3 Transylvania Stakes
Friday, April 7, 2023
KEE Race #1 $400.000
3YOs 120 Lbs 11/16 (Turf)
#1 Drinkin Creepin (Mb Stables/Mario Gutierrez): Gelding has won five in a row while sprinting on the lawn, including G1 BC Juv Turf Sprint. Stretches his legs for the first time here (he did win at 7.5 on the lawn) and draws ideally for the assignment.
#2 Whiskey Drink (First Flight Stable/E. Jaramillo): Colt has split majority of his nine-race career on dirt; however, he does sport a 3-0-1-1 record on the lawn. Only OTM finish on the grass was back at KD in a $500.000 event. Gets a class test, but should handle the 8.5 furlongs.
#3 Antique Diplomacy (Rock Creek/L.S. Quinonez): Gelding has put together a pretty decent turf resume going 4-1-1-1 including a black type placing at TUP. Only OTM finish on grass came over a less-than-firm surface, but that shouldn’t be an issue here.
#4 Kentucky Pharoah (Arindel/P. Lopez): BC Juv Turf participant took part in the TC chase but gets back to his preferred surface here. Exits a career-best performance going a mile at SA but that came just three weeks ago. If he’s ready, he could be one of the ones.
#5 On Fire (Mb Stables/L. Saez): Gelding didn’t start until November, and he was beaten 19-lengths. Has done nothing but win in the three races since, and he took a $75.000 TAM stake last out. Needs a bit of pace to run at, but he’s been pretty reliable with making his run.
#6 August Storm (Fractious/J.R. Velazquez): Gelding totes a three-race winning streak into this, including the $60.000 Startac last out. First two in current run came in stalk-and-pounce fashion but went straight to the front last time. That versatility only aids his cause here.
#7 Solar Coast (Smokey Stover/L. Detorri): Speaking of versatility, this guy broke his maiden from midpack, rallied from last to be beaten a length in a G3, and then wired a $200.000 group last out. He seems to really be coming into his own and may be ready for a peak performance.
#8 Expresso (Smokey Stover/A. Bocachica): Speedball started his career on the main track before trying the lawn in his last two. Speed-and-fade in the first two starts; however, he wired a 5f, GG MSW group last out. Legitimate question on the distance, but not the speed.
#9 Command Class (Sccj Stables/J.C. Ferrer): $60.000 purchase was in the exacta in three straight starts for this outfit (including a N1X score over this strip) before seeming to struggle with the yielding turf down at GP. He’s better than that and gets back on a strip where he’s had previous success.
Final Analysis: This is a really deep group and any of a number of these would make a lot of sense. We’ll call it 1-7-4 in the G3 Transylvania. Good luck to all involved!
Categories: STAKES ARTICLES
