Transylvania Stakes Kicks Off Keeneland Meet: Analysis and Selections

1. Inspector Lynley – Added Lasix to get the MSW win in fourth try on the lawn at Gulfstream in last. Connections switched strategies in Florida and took back from widest of all with 3YO son of Lemon Drop Kid. Comes rolling. Gets another new rider in Gerous who’s been masterful on Derby contender Gun Runner. Good numbers all around.

2. Shakhimat – Canadian bred son of Australian bred Lonhro entered with 2 wins and a third in 3 attempts for Attfield. Both wins on all-weather at Woodbine but his lone turf try was a disappointing third in his first race after 7F maiden victory. Interesting at 10 to 1.

3. Prime Time Man – Lone win on the lawn in a MSW going 1 mile at Fair Grounds in January for Lukas. Came back a month ago at Oaklawn at 1 1/16 in a OC62K and beat one horse. Made a slight middle move and flattened out while wide. Returns to the grass and bred nicely for it. Gets Johnny V. for this.

4. Urban Bourbon – Started career sprinting on the lawn at Saratoga at 5 1/2 with early foot. Broke maiden in 5th career attempt going 7 1/2 on the grass at Gulfstream in December getting an 86 Beyer. Last two races were G3 including an 11th place finish in the Palm Beach – but he only got beat 4 lengths. And the runner up came back to win a $75K stakes with an 86. Too bad the winner from that one is in here as the favorite.

5. JR’s Holiday – 4th in the Palm Beach getting beat less than two lengths from far back. Picks up 5 lbs. Trainer is 0 for 6 in graded stakes races. He’ll be far, far back early.

6. Sorryaboutnothing – Broke maiden by default when place first through a DQ at Del Mar last November. Ran his best race in his first turf try last time out at Santa Anita. Will be forwardly placed and has attempted a G1 including the Los Al Futurity won by Mor Spirit who goes in the Santa Anita Derby today.

7. Converge – NY bred is one of two in here for Brown. Has 2 wins and a second in three lifetime races on the lawn including the aforementioned Palm Beach. Is a 1/2 point favorite over his stablemate because of experience and looks the part from far back.

8. Catapult – Broke maiden on the lawn in first and only race last October at Belmont going 1 mile. Got a 93 that day and the running line says “erratic” but there’s no denying this Kitten’s Joy colt is here to play today. Look out.

9. One Mean Man – Broke maiden at Ellis going 5 1/2 on turf in first career race. Was well beaten from the 14 hole in the G3 Bourbon on a yielding turf here last year. Raced at Fair Grounds through the winter and performed nicely in a couple of turf stakes races including a win and a second at 7 1/2. Outsider for a piece.

Selections: