Three Transylvania splits

The steady Make You Mine used that attribute to his advantage in the lead-off division of the Transylvania Saturday afternoon at The Red Mile, winning in 1:54.1. The second division, contested in a steady drizzle over a track tightened up to hold up to the rain, went to Matchstick Man while the third split, conducted while a steady rain fell, went to Bacardi Lindy (1:53.3).

Driver Mike Lachance raced Make You Mine off the pace as Old Oaken Bucket champion Limbo Glide, with Ron Pierce aboard, set the pace with fractions of :28.3, :58 and 1:26.3. Lachance and Make You Mine were in striking position coming off the last turn and they shot past the pacesetter for the score. Make You Mine gave Mr. Pine Chip cover for much of the last half, but Mr. Pine Chip’s late rally was only good enough for a fifth-place finish.

Mr. Pine Chip has struggled to bounce back to his pre-Hambletonian form since becoming ill before the Hambo. Mr. Pine Chip’s effort in the Transylvania left the colt’s trainer, Trond Smedshammer, wondering whether or not the horse would ever race again.

Ron Gurfein trains Make You Mine, a son of Self Possessed who now sports career earnings of more than $500,000.

Matchstick Man started from post eight in his division and was quickly sent to the front of the field by trainer-driver Ray Schnittker. Several horses behind them made miscues, and by the time Matchstick Man hit the homestretch he was safely in front. Roman Holiday made up ground in the stretch drive to take second in the 1:55.2 mile.

It was the third win this season for Matchstick Man, a son of Conway Hall who took a new lifetime mark with the Transylvania victory.

Bacardi Lindy pulled off an upset in the third division when betting favorite and early pacesetter Blue Mac Lad went offstride at the three-quarter mark while leading the field. Bacardi Lindy, driven by Daniel Dube, picked up his fifth win of the season and lowered his mark to 1:53.3.

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