Field Pass Outfights Tight Transylvania Field

LEXINGTON, KY – Three Diamonds Farm’s Field Pass outfought several tough rivals to win a tight finish in Sunday’s $100,000 Kentucky Utilities Transylvania Stakes (G3) at Keeneland.

Breaking from the rail as the 2/1 favorite under Ricardo Santana, Jr., Field Pass settled into a mid-pack stalking position while Juggernaut set the pace. Fancy Liquor gave closest watch through opening fractions of :23.33, :47.76, and 1:12.45.

Field Pass tipped off the rail heading into the far turn and was three-wide in the clear at the top of the stretch. Fancy Liquor got first run on the pacesetter and momentarily held the lead, but Field Pass inched ahead in mid-stretch.

Street Ready dove through an opening between Juggernaut and the rail and came flying with a flurry. He was noses apart with Fancy Liqour and Field Pass in the shadow of the wire, but Field Pass’ class advantage helped him prevail.

The Mike Maker trainee crossed a slim nose ahead in a final time of 1:42.56 for the 1 1/16-mile good turf route.

Street Ready was deemed to be a neck clear of Fancy Liquor, who stayed on bravely between rivals. They were a 1/2-length clear of a tight scramble for fourth.

City Man took that position by a pair of necks ahead of Spanish Kingdom and Bama Breeze, respectively. Behind them came Irish Mias, Vintage Print, Kinenos, and Juggernaut to complete the order of finish.

Kentucky Ghost was scratched.

Field Pass’ win was his second straight following the Audubon Stakes and fourth overall at the stakes level, having taken the Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3) and the Dania Beach Stakes earlier this year. The 3-year-old Lemon Drop Kid colt improved his record to 11-5-2-1 with $418,610 earned.

Field Pass returned $6.40 to win, $4.40 to place, and $3.60 to show. Street Ready brought back $12.60 to place and $7.60 to show, while Fancy Liquor paid $5.20 to show.