Brown has strong duo for Transylvania Stakes

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Major East Coast stables have been known to dominate the stakes ranks at Keeneland on their way home from Florida to New York every spring. That’s certainly been the case in recent years with the $100,000 Transylvania Stakes, which helps open the spring meet Friday.

Over the last decade, the Grade 3 Transylvania has been won by Chad Brown, Todd Pletcher, Christophe Clement, Shug McGaughey, and Bill Mott (twice), and true to form, the 28th running of the 1 1/16-mile turf race sports a New York flavor once again.

Brown holds the strongest hand this time around with the uncoupled duo of Converge and Catapult. They’ll break alongside each other from posts 7 and 8 in the field of nine 3-year-olds.

Converge is the more proven of the two, having won the Grade 3 Palm Beach at Gulfstream Park in his last start. But Catapult owns the highest Beyer Speed Figure in the field, having needed just one race to get a 93 in his debut last fall at Belmont Park.

“We had him penciled in for his first start back in a prep but thought maybe we’d try something like this if he trained well – and he has,” said Brown. “He might need the race, but he’s so talented, it wouldn’t surprise me at all if he won.”

McGaughey, the Hall of Fame horseman who hails from Lexington, may have the main challenger to the Brown pair in Inspector Lynley, who comes favorably drawn on the hedge with Florent Geroux to ride. The Phipps family homebred makes his stakes debut after developing a nice closing kick in getting through his maiden condition.

The Transylvania, named for the private university located in downtown Lexington, is the ninth of 10 Friday races and is part of a late pick four (races 7-10) with a $200,000 pool guarantee. First post is 1:05 p.m. Eastern, with the feature set for 5:30.

KEY CONTENDERS

Converge, by Sidney’s Candy

Last 3 Beyers: 88-77-65

◗ New York-bred colt “kicked off the year the right way,” said Brown, when rallying from far back to capture the Palm Beach as a lukewarm favorite Feb. 27.

Catapult, by Kitten’s Joy

Last Beyer: 93

◗ Gaudy Beyer from his only start speaks volumes to his potential, and his 10 recorded works at Palm Meadows this winter suggest he’ll be sufficiently fit.

Inspector Lynley, by Lemon Drop Kid

Last 3 Beyers: 90-89-88

◗ Colt might well have raced since his Feb. 6 maiden triumph but was among those restricted by a Payson Park quarantine order that has since been lifted.

J R’s Holiday, by Harlan’s Holiday

Last 3 Beyers: 85-84-69

◗ Florida-based colt was a creditable fourth in the Palm Beach after pulling a 19-1 upset on the Holy Bull undercard Jan. 30 at Gulfstream.