Lukas Hopes Change Is Good

Trainer Wayne Lukas, who failed to win with 67 starters at the Santa Anita meet, hopes things go better when Keeneland begins its 15-day spring season today.

Lukas, who had four victories at the fall meet in Lexington in 2003, will send out Heroic Moment in the fourth, Race For Glory in the seventh and Grand Warrior in the 10th.

The Hall of Fame trainer doesn’t have a runner in the day’s feature, the $100,000 Transylvania, a Grade III at a mile on the turf for 3-year-olds.

Timo, who has been first or second in five of six starts on the grass for C K Woods Stable and trainer Billy Badgett Jr., will make his first appearance since New Year’s Day, running against nine opponents.

Timo, a gray son of El Prado, will leave from the rail and will be ridden by Edgar Prado.

Other contenders in the Transylvania include Grand Heritage, a winner of half of his six races on the turf for trainer Bill Mott, Commendation and Dynafire.

Commendation is the only horse in the field who has won over the Keeneland turf course, having won an allowance Oct. 12, then the $112,000 Bourbon County 12 days later.

Race of the day: Fairly Crafty, with a win and a second in his last two starts on the main track, is among seven California-breds set to go six furlongs in today’s seventh at Santa Anita. Kerwin John will ride Fairly Crafty, a 4-year-old Crafty Prospector colt, for owner Richard J. O’Neill and trainer Doug Peterson.

One for the road: Mr. Mabee improved in a two-turn race for trainer Elliott Walden at Gulfstream Park and could get the right trip in today’s fourth, a $50,000 maiden affair at 1 1/16 miles, at Keeneland.

Pat Day will ride the 3-year-old Storm Cat colt and he should get a favorable pace scenario.

Exotically speaking: A pick four using Midafternoon in the fifth, View From The Top, Badinage, Forget and Linda Eder in the sixth, Fairly Crafty and Natural Style in the seventh and Betphone, Warmez Cat and Malibux Baby in the eighth.

Winners: Previous day/meet total: 4/209. Money: Previous day/meet total: $20.40/$1,106.40. Total money bet: $1,218.