Eight set for Transylvania on Keeneland's opening day

Eight three-year-olds will contest Friday's $150,000

Transylvania S. (G3) over Keeneland's turf course, and the opening-day

feature appears contentious. Darley's STORMALORY (Storm Cat) is a likely

favorite off his third-place effort in the Palm Beach S. (G3) at Gulfstream

Park, but uncoupled Darley colorbearer FLORENTINO (Jpn) (Swept Overboard) and

Southern California shipper SMART BID (Smart Strike) will also attract support.

Stormalory broke his maiden over Keeneland's Polytrack in October and

captured his turf debut two starts back at Gulfstream Park, winning an

entry-level allowance by 1 3/4 lengths. Trained by Bill Mott, the bay colt

offered a very respectable effort in the nine-furlong Palm Beach, rallying to

finish third by only a length, and he'll be reunited with Julien Leparoux, who

was aboard for the allowance win. Stormalory will cut back to 1 1/16 miles for

the Transylvania.

Florentino switched to the turf for his seasonal debut and responded with a

game maiden special weight score at Gulfstream. The Kiaran McLaughlin trainee

followed with a runner-up to Stormalory when trying winners for the first time, and he continued to show more against allowance rivals last

time when posting a 2 3/4-length victory on March 1 at Gulfstream. Regular rider

Alan Garcia will be up for the colt's stakes bow.

Smart Bid recorded a sharp allowance tally over the turf at Santa Anita two

starts back and exits a sixth to the formidable The Pamplemousse (Kafwain) in

the Sham S. (G3) over Pro-Ride. The Graham Motion runner is eligible to show

much more in his turf return.

SKIPADATE (Skip Away) also merits respect.

Unplaced in the O.B.S. Championship S. when making his three-year-old debut over

the main track last time out, the Mark Casse pupil displayed fine turf form at

two, finishing a close second in both the With Anticipation S. at Saratoga and

Summer S. (Can-G3) at Woodbine. Michael Matz will send out the promising MIKOSHI

(Orientate), who earned his first lifetime victory as the favorite last time

over the Gulfstream turf.