Taking to Turf in Transylvania

What is arguably the best 15 days of racing of the year begins today with the start of Keeneland’s spring meet.

There will be a stakes race from now until the season ends April 25. Purses will average $605,000 daily.

The parade of stakes starts with the $100,000 Transylvania, a one-mile turf affair for 3-year-olds.

Nine were entered in the Grade III, and the co-highweights at 120 pounds are Hypnotist and Rapid Proof.

Hypnotist, a son of Favorite Trick who is owned by Dogwood Stable and trained by Barclay Tagg, has won two of four on the grass, including the $75,000 Dave Feldman at Gulfstream Park on Jan. 26. Mark Guidry will ride.

A son of Fast Play owned by Dolphus Morrison and trained by Hal Wiggins, Rapid Proof has won two of three on the grass. Calvin Borel has the mount.

Earlier on the card, some well-bred 2-year-old maidens will make their debuts at 4 1/2 furlongs. Ten are scheduled to run, including Hasslefree, a son of Forestry who is trained by Wayne Lukas for owners Bob and Beverly Lewis.

Race of the day: Red Opal, who won down the hill earlier in the meet, and European import Polygreen head a field of eight fillies and mares in today’s seventh at Santa Anita, a $57,000 optional claimer at about 6 1/2 furlongs on the turf. Other top contenders include Nanogram and Roundtree.

Who’s hot: Jamie Theriot. Entering the final days of the Oaklawn Park meet, the jockey holds a slim lead in the standings over Terry Thompson.

Who’s not: Chuck Turco and Kim Ewing. The two trainers are winless in a combined 49 at Oaklawn.

Exotically speaking: A pick all singling Quick Nip in the first, Summer Service in the second, using Shining Strike and Two Four Dancer in the third, singling Brilliant Move in the fourth, using Bone Dog and Charmer Baron in the fifth, Speed To Speed and Hot Sea in the sixth, Polygreen and Red Opal in the seventh and Golden Griffin and Kilgarten in the eighth.

Winners: Previous day/meet total: 3/206. Money: Previous day/meet total: $19.20/$1,160.80. Total money bet: $1,234.