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Marcavelly strolls home in Transylvania
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Marcavelly taking a snowy Transylvania on Keeneland's opening day
(Mathea Kelley/Horsephotos.com) |
Zayat Stables' MARCAVELLY (Johannesburg) produced a scintillating burst of
speed at the top of the stretch to claim Friday's $150,000
Transylvania S. (G3)
by a widening 3 1/2 lengths. Making his three-year-old debut in Keeneland's
opening day feature, the Bill Mott pupil completed the mile on firm turf in 1:36
4/5.
In the opening stages, four horses vied for the lead, with Royal War Academy
(Royal Academy) marginally in front through a quarter in :23 4/5. The 7-5
favorite Sedgefield (Smart Strike), who was hung out four wide on the first
turn, continued to press the front runner through splits of :47 4/5 and 1:12
3/5. Meanwhile, Marcavelly was stalking in third, and Edgar Prado was biding his
time. Entering the stretch, the dueling leaders were visibly tired, and
Marcavelly struck the decisive blow. The bay quickly opened by daylight and
stamped his authority on proceedings, returning $6.40, $4 and $3 as the 2-1
second choice.
Debut maiden winner In Jest (Dynaformer) rallied for a clear second by two
lengths, emerging with plenty of credit in his stakes bow. Dispatched as the 6-1
third choice, the second-time starter gave back $7 and $4.80. The 8-1 Cobrador
(El Prado [Ire]) outdueled Sedgefield by a neck for third, yielding $4. The
exotics totaled $45.20 (exacta), $222.40 (trifecta) and $502.40 (7-6-8-9
superfecta). Royal War Academy finished fifth, trailed by Everyman (Silver
Deputy), U D Ghetto (Honour and Glory), Codeword [Ire] (Dansili [GB]) and Lure
My Daisy (Lure). Cajun Mon (Jambalaya Jazz) was withdrawn.
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Marcavelly, who has recorded three victories and two seconds from five
starts, has now bankrolled $227,480. After an impressive debut maiden score on
the turf at Belmont Park in July, he rolled to a 3 1/2-length tally in the
Continental Mile S. at Monmouth Park. He chased eventual champion Dreaming of
Anna (Rahy) in the Summer S. (Can-G3) at Woodbine, and in the off-the-turf
Bourbon S. on the Polytrack at Keeneland, he was overhauled late after finding
himself in the unaccustomed role of pacesetter.
Bred by Harrison Stables Inc. in Kentucky, Marcavelly was sold for $210,000
as a Keeneland September Yearling. He is out of the Majestic Light mare Dark
Jewel, a full sister to multiple Grade 1 queen Hidden Light, who is herself the
dam of 2005 Breeders' Cup Mile (G1) winner and $2 million-earner Artie Schiller
(El Prado [Ire]). Marcavelly is a half-brother to the stakes-placed Delong
(Editor's Note) and a juvenile filly named Holy Helen (Holy Bull).
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