Transylvania Stakes – Grade III
1 1/16 Mile Turf Stake Purse $400.000 Open 3 Year Olds.

1st       Creepy Risk        Fractious          Jaramillo E

When i tipped this one to win it was completely down to his last win and only second start when he made all to win the Pasadena just a month after winning his maiden on debut. He led at a decent pace quickened it up after half way and held on readily that day a race pattern that this new race engine just loves. So fast forward to today and guess what? Yes it was a repeat of that last run. Would he have been unbeaten on the old engine? Well i guess that doesn’t matter because this new one loves him and he looks to be the star of the turf division after remaining unbeaten with three from three. Make no mistake this was a very competitive race and i feel the form will hold up right through to the BC, three months, three wins, the sky is the limit for this brilliant home bred.

2nd       The Godfather       Smokey Stover         Gutierrez Mario

Started in mid-pack and had to work pretty hard in a busy race behind the leader. When he got clear air he ran on strongly and was taking ground off the winner all the way to the line although to be fair he never looked like getting to Creepy Risk. Clearly much happier back on the turf the BC Juvenile Turf winner will appreciate an even longer trip and i wouldn’t be writing him off a second trip to the BC.

3rd        Cadillac Jack       Team 7 Illusions         Silvera Ru

The leader was just too quick early on and he failed to dominate like he did in his last run and that under this new engine is pretty much race over. Stalking the lead he stayed on without quickening for a pretty encouraging third considering he is fresh out of maidens. When The Godfather was winning the BC last year this one was beaten in a state bred maiden so this is a huge step up and one that has been accelerated by his recent gelding operation. Better things to come for this son of Cherokee Sunset.

4th   The Tonight Show        Rock Creek         Davis D

Getting too far back is the kiss of death these days and this one got back into the chasing pack and ended up in a charge for the line which he came out fourth best in. The one gate is certainly the wrong gate to close from and his race was all the more difficult after a slow start. This was a good race though and he was only a length back at the end so plenty to like about his effort.

Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES