Bettors Look to Keeneland

Those who like quality racing and large fields are in luck for the next three weeks.

Keeneland will begin its spring meet today with not a single claiming race, the shortest field numbering seven and with 94 horses entered in nine races.

The main event is the $100,000 Transylvania Stakes for 3-year-olds at a mile on the turf.

Stage Call, a son of Sadler’s Wells, is the one to beat.

Owned by Winstar Farm and trained by Elliott Walden, the Irish-bred won the Hopemont by 111/4 lengths in his U.S. debut over the Keeneland turf Oct. 26.

He has trained well for his first race of 2002 and will be ridden by Pat Day, who was the leading rider at Keeneland’s fall meet, beating Robby Albarado, 25-21.

From the inside out, the rest of the field includes Classic Hero, Back Packer, Flying Dash, a German-bred who won two of four in Europe and will be ridden by Jerry Bailey in his U.S. debut for trainer Neil Drysdale, Political Attack, Mr. O’Brien, Dutch Royalty and Ide Be Spencers.

Meanwhile, at Gulfstream Park, Jostle, one of the best 3-year-old fillies in the country in 2000 but winless in five races last year, will make her first start for Walden in the $75,000 Banshee Breeze Handicap.

Race of the day: Fit For A King, a 9-year-old, will try for his seventh victory in a row in the seventh at Santa Anita. The turf race at about 61/2 furlongs also attracted F J’s Pace, Lookn East, Road To Slew, who is making his first start since winning the Crystal Water Handicap on March 24, 2001, and Munjiz.

Who’s hot: Mansilver. The Idaho-bred gelding is two for two for trainer Jeff Mullins and will try to remain perfect as he tries a mile for the first time in today’s fifth at Santa Anita.

Who’s not: Derek Ryan. The trainer has won only three of 53 races this year.

Exotically speaking: A pick three singling Free Shot in the third, Exzacta Max, Emerald Yvett, Ginger Roo, Sheza Gladiator and Aetha in the fourth and Pick Of The Valley and Mansilver in the fifth.

Winners: Previous day/meet total: 3/199. Money: Previous day/meet total: $11.80/$1,169.80. Total money bet: $1,234.