Faced with the challenge of getting his classified shares to launch after a layoff of more than four months, his connections Sy Dog was hoping to avoid the added hurdles of competing on soft turf for the first time at the $400,000 Kentucky Utilities Transylvania Stakes (G3T) April 8 in Keeneland.
As the rain poured down all day Friday in Lexington, Alice Clapham, assistant coach Graham Motion, begged internally for it to stop. She did feel a little better though after walking the yard, noting that it resolved much of the downpour.
Sy Dog will also find the course – listed as well – to his liking. After racing the last of the six in the good field, the son of Sleep Increase three wide in far turn to win position, pass Mint money just past midway between record and crowning a three-quarter length victory in the 3-year-old 1/16-mile turf race.
“It’s harder today than I thought,” Clapham said. “I thought it could be really soft, but it’s actually just a nice cut. It’s really not that bad.
Clapham said of the rainy weather, “The last couple of days, I’ve been like, ‘Ooohh, come on’.
Sy Dog’s connection during trophy presentation for Transylvania Stakes
With her season opener win, Head of Plains Partners’ Sy Dog has improved to three wins in multiple starts. He won his first girlhood race in October on Belmont Park turf and dominated by a cape in Central Park in November on Aqueduct race track pitch. He trained for Friday’s race at Fair Hill Training Center.
Early in the race on Friday, Credibility and Coding jostled for the top half a mile at: 50.16. Verbal backed at 2-1, started a wide move in the turn but couldn’t sustain it, then Sy Dog made his year-long victory rally.
“My horse moved perfectly the whole race. In the third column of eighths, I thought it was time to pick it up,” said jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. speak. “I had (Grand Sonata) inside to find room, and I knew Tyler (Gaffalione, on the Grand Sonata) had a lot of horses, so I decided to move a little early, get him outside, and go from there. there.
“He did everything I asked. He was ready.”
Clapham said they felt comfortable training Sy Dog to Transylvania.
“He was definitely filled over the winter,” Clapham said. “The biggest thing is that he’s very comfortable and that helps him with everything.”
Sy Dog was followed home by a pair of 3rd graders who won runner-up Grand Sonata and third place Coins.
A cross for Sol Kumin’s Plains Head and Madaket Stables, Sy Dog is apart from the winning mare of Scat Daddy My Love Venezuela, who has produced two winners from numerous starts. My Love Venezuela set a course record in 2016 at Indiana Grandcompleted a mile in 1:35.73.
Video: Kentucky Utilities Transylvania S. (G3T)
