Keeneland: Medal Count captures off-the-turf Transylvania

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Robby Albarado and Dale Romans benefited on opening weekend last fall at Keeneland when a graded stakes was moved from the turf to the main Polytrack surface, as they teamed to upset Wise Dan with Silver Max that rainy afternoon in the Grade 1 Shadwell Mile.

Fast forward six months, and there were Albarado and Romans again in the Keeneland infield on Friday after Medal Count drove up the rail to capture the off-the-turf Transylvania Stakes, the opening-day feature.

“This horse has always been one of my favorites from my crop of 3-year-olds,” said Romans. “He’s versatile and has some ability. Today he showed it.”

The $100,000 Transylvania was transferred early in the day because of wet conditions. Even after rain stopped, the weather was not ideal, as a very brisk breeze produced an unseasonable chill and kept many in the crowd of 15,169 indoors.

A pair of longshots pushed the early pace in the Transylvania while Medal Count lagged toward the back of the eight-horse field. After gaining in the final turn of the 1 1/16-mile race, he shot through a rail opening and edged away from Picozza down the stretch to prevail by 1 1/4 lengths. He returned $8 as second choice after finishing in 1:43.35.

“Fortunately we got through, and he did the rest,” said Albarado.

Woodfield Springs was third, another neck back, with Storming Inti fourth as the 5-2 favorite. Global View, the 3-1 third choice, was never a factor when seventh.

Medal Count, a bay colt by Dynaformer, is owned by the Spendthrift Farm of B. Wayne Hughes. The Transylvania marked his third victory, and first in a stakes, from six overall starts. He finished fifth in the Feb. 22 Fountain of Youth Stakes in his prior start.

“I kind of wanted to keep him on the Derby trail because I think that much of him, but Mr. Hughes wanted a more conservative approach,” said Romans, who watched the race alongside basketball Hall of Famer Dan Issel. “We’ll find a spot for him I’m sure.”

Ry’s the Man, Red River Rising, Pleuven, and Cant’helpbelieving were early scratches.

The $2 exacta (1-11) paid $48.20, the $1 trifecta (1-11-3) returned $144.80, and the 10-cent superfecta (1-11-3-10) was worth $48.13.

The Transylvania ostensibly is a Grade 3, but the grade is automatically withheld when a race is moved from the turf until a review of the race is completed.

* Opening day was good to a number of horsemen, most notably jockey Julien Leparoux, who rode three winners, two of them for trainer Ken McPeek. Jockey Alan Garcia and trainer Graham Motion also teamed for two wins, while Mark Casse saddled two winners.