Exotics plays for the 2023 Transylvania Stakes

#9 Nagirroc (8-1) and #7 Mo Stash (6-1), the first two North American runners home in last year’s Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (G1), head a strong field for Keeneland’s Transylvania (G3) on Friday.

However, if the morning line odds are anything to go by, the one to beat in the Transylvania is a maiden winner untested in stakes company.

Transylvania Stakes Selections

• #11 Carl Spackler
• #7 Mo Stash
• #9 Nagirroc
• #3 Andthewinneris

Transylvania Stakes Wagers

• $3 exacta: box 7, 9, 11 ($18)
• $1 trifecta: 7, 11 with 7, 9, 11 with 2, 3, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12 ($20)

#11 Carl Spackler (3-1) has a few things on his side. He’s trained by U.S. turf maestro Chad Brown, and he’s out of the Grade 2-winning mare Zindaya. Most of all, he followed up a loss on debut at Gulfstream Park by a head to subsequent allowance winner Far Bridge (while six lengths clear of the third horse) with a sparkling 8 3/4-length triumph at the same track Feb. 25.

The Irish-bred son of Lope De Vega looks a potentially special prospect. But I’d caution against focusing too much on him because he is facing a much stronger class of horse.

Mo Stash has also been in Florida, contesting stakes races. In his first race since his Juvenile Turf fourth, Mo Stash was a solid second behind the highly-regarded Talk of the Nation in the Columbia S. at Tampa Bay March 11. It would be no surprise if that effort has improved him.

The first two home in the Colonel Liam S. also look solid prospects: #12 Dude N Colorado (9-2) and #2 Webslinger (5-1). The latter could easily reverse the tables given he is five pounds better off at the weights. Dude N Colorado had earlier finished third in the Kitten’s Joy (G3), one position behind #8 Candidate (10-1).

Nagirroc has raced just once since his Juvenile Turf third, filling the same position in the Eddie Logan S. at Santa Anita Dec. 30. There’s a chance he will need the run. Another Juvenile Turf runner, #3 Andthewinneris (12-1), could be a bounce-back contender after suffering from some jostling when fourth at Fair Grounds in the Black Gold S. March 4.

I would see Mo Stash as the biggest threat to Carl Spackler here, so I’ll focus on the pair of them at the top of exotics. With a number of other decent horses, I’ll spread things a little wider for lower rungs.