Transylvania Stakes at Keeneland Race Course

Las Vegas, NV – Keeneland Race Course in Lexington, Kentucky opens for its Spring Meet this weekend and the first graded stakes race takes place Friday, April 5. The Grade 3 Transylvania Stakes will feature a group of three year olds willing to go 1 1/16 miles on Keeneland’s turf track in search of the winner’s share of the $100,000 purse.

The Transylvania Stakes has attracted a field of 11 three year olds for race 9 in Keeneland’s Opening Day Friday card. Post time is 5:13 PM. Here is a look at the past performances of all 11 combatants for this Grade 3 stakes.

Up With The Birds – enters the Transylvania on a three race win streak – the minor Black Gold Stakes last time out by 7 1/2 lengths at Fair Grounds March 3 after a win in the Coronation Futurity in November at Woodbine. His other career start resulted in a third in his debut – a MSW at Woodbine in August.

Star Contender – has five career starts for trainer Mark Casse with two wins including the minor Cup and Saucer Stakes at Woodbine October 20. He followed that with a second in the Coronation Futurity and a sixth last time out in the minor Gulfstream Park Derby January 1. He is the highweight in the field and races for the first time since January 1.

Brown Almighty – started his career with two straight wins including the minor Sunny’s Halo Stakes at Arlington Park August 4 and followed that with two straight second place finishes including the Grade 3 Bourbon Stakes at Keeneland October 7. He finished a decent third last time out in the OBS Championship (Colt and Gelding Division) Stakes for his best result in a while. Before that was an eighth in the Grade 3 Southwest Stakes, a fifth in the minor Smarty Jones Stakes and a ninth in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf.

Bambazonki – is coming off a good second in the Kitten’s Joys Stakes at Gulfstream at this distance January 20 after an Allowance score October 19, a MSW score in September and a second in a MSW in his career debut. He hopes to build on that good second last time out for trainer Chris Block.

Fire Guard – Bill Mott trained colt has won two of his last three starts – an Allowance Optional Claiming last time out by 1 1/4 lengths over Jack Milton at this distance February 9 at Gulfstream and a MSW at Tampa Bay Downs in December. Sandwiched in there is a fifth in the minor Kitten’s Joy Stakes at Gulfstream January 20. He has two wins, a second and a third place finish in five career starts.

Transylvania Stakes betting at Keeneland Race Course with OffTrackBetting.com

Jack Milton – Todd Pletcher trained colt has only two career starts – a second in an Allowance Optional Claiming last time out behind Fire Guard followed a MSW score in his debut at Gulfstream January 12.

Holiday Star – H Graham Motion trained gelding raced in stakes company for the first time last time out and finished eighth in the Grade 3 Palm Beach Stakes after two straight wins – a MSW at Tampa Bay Downs December 15 and an Allowance Optional Claiming at Gulfstream March 3.

Pyrite Mountain -won the minor Kingarvie Stakes two back at Woodbine December 2 in his second career start after a second in a MSW in his debut. Last time out was a fourth in an Allowance Optional Claiming at Gulfstream March 9.

Bethel – made his stakes debut two back with a ninth in the Grade 2 Risen Star Stakes at Fair Grounds after four starts produced just one win. Last time out was a third place finish in a Starter Allowance at Fair Grounds March 9.

Amen Kitten – Wesley Ward pupil has eight career starts with a win, two seconds and a third place finish. Last time out was his stakes debut – a sixth in the Grade 3 Palm Beach Stakes at Gulfstream March 3 after his only career victory – a Maiden Claiming at Gulfstream January 11.

Redwood Kitten – another Wesley Ward trainee Redwood Kitten broke maiden three back at Gulfstream December 7 and followed that with an OK third in the minor Kitten’s Joy Stakes on that same track in his stakes debut. Last time out was an OK second in an Allowance Optional Claiming at Gulfstream February 23.

Race 9 on Keeneland Race Course’s Friday card with a Post Time of 5:13 PM.