Avie's Flatter a force off the layoff to win Keeneland's Transylvania

Ivan Dalos’ Avie’s Flatter surged to the lead at the sixteenth pole and fended off a late charge from favored Henley’s Joy on Friday to score a half-length win in the 31st running of the $150,000 Kentucky Utilities Transylvania (G3) for 3-year-olds before a Keeneland crowd of 14,187.

Trained by Josie Carroll and ridden by Javier Castellano, Avie’s Flatter, the winter book favorite for Canada's Queen Plate, covered the 1 1/16 miles on a firm turf course in 1:42.86. The victory was the third in the race for Castellano, who previously triumphed with Big Score (2017) and Night Prowler (2015).

"I thought he was in good order," said Carroll, who will consider a Kentucky Derby day start in the American Turf (G2), "but I did say to Javier, ‘Keep him covered up a little bit and make sure you have some horse to finish because it has been a while since he ran.’"

Onthewaytonevrland led the field of eight through fractions of :23.59, :48.23 and 1:12.64 with token pressure from Weekly Call as Avie’s Flatter raced in the second flight.

As the field bunched up nearing the stretch, Avie’s Flatter was briefly bottled up between horses before moving to the four path for clear running. He collared The Black Album and Onthewaytonevrland at the sixteenth pole, kicked clear and then held off a bid from Henley’s Joy to secure his fourth victory in five starts.

"I like the way he does everything," Castellano said. "He can be on the lead. He can cover up. Today he broke a little slow. I didn’t rush it. (Considering) the layoff and the way he performed today – very amazing.”

A Canadian-bred son of Flatter out of the Empire Maker mare Avie’s Empire, Avie’s Flatter added $90,000 to his bankroll with the victory to boost that total to $341,834 with a record of 5: 4-0-0.

Avie’s Flatter, sent off as the third choice, returned $10, $4.80 and $3.80. Henley’s Joy, ridden by Tyler Gaffalione, returned $4 and $3.20 with The Black Album finishing another half-length back in third and paying $4.40 to show under Jose Ortiz.

War Film finished another neck back in fourth and was followed in order by Onthewaytonevrland, Louder Than Bombs, Weekly Call and Dunph.