Frank’s Rockette takes the Roxelana Overnight on opening night at Churchill Downs (Coady Photography)
By Darren Rogers – Churchill Downs Media Office
LOUISVILLE, Ky.— Frank’s Rockette collected the 10th stakes win of her four-year career when she outfinished Last Leaf down the stretch to win Saturday night’s 13th running of the $175,000 Roxelana Overnight Stakes Powered by LG&E and KU on Opening Night of the 2023 Spring Meet before 20,077 fans at Churchill Downs.
Reduced to a field of five fillies and mares, Frank Fletcher Racing’s Frank’s Rockette ran six furlongs over a fast track in a stakes record 1:09.26 to beat Last Leaf by three-quarters of a length. It was another seven lengths back to pacesetter Pretty Birdie in third. Junior Alvarado rode the winner for Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott.
Pretty Birdie broke fastest of all and rattled off a first quarter-mile in :21.97 and the half-mile in :45.12 as Coppelia chased from the outside and the favorite Frank’s Rockette tracked in third along the rail. Leaving the turn for home, Frank’s Rockette cut between horses and put away the two early leaders as Last Leaf attempted to close along the rail. Frank’s Rockette was able to turn back the inside charge from the 16-1 longshot and won in game fashion.
Frank’s Rockette, who was the odds-on 2-5 post time favorite, paid $2.90 to win.
The winner is a 6-year-old daughter of Into Mischief out of the Indian Charlie mare Rocket Twentyone. She was bred in Kentucky by her owner.
It was the 12th career win in 26 starts for Frank’s Rockette, and the $108,500 winner’s share boosted her earnings to $1,410,033. She’s won three of her five starts at Churchill Downs.
Frank’s Rockette has won three straight stakes races. Previously, she won the Sugar Swirl (GIII) on Dec. 31 and Hurricane Bertie (GIII) on March 11 at Gulfstream Park.
“She was in good form going into last year and I think going into this year she’s as good as ever,” Mott said. “We certainly wouldn’t rule out eventually trying to get her a Grade I but we’ll take it one race at a time and see how she’s doing.”
Saturday’s Roxelana annually honors the crack female sprinter who won seven of 11 starts and $264,726 between 2000-03 for owner/breeder William Landes III and trainer William “Blackie” Huffman. Landes was on hand Saturday night to present the winning trophy.
After dark days on Sunday and Monday, Kentucky Derby Week continues Tuesday for live racing at 12:45 p.m. Tickets to “502’sDay” are available at www.KentuckyDerbyWeek.com.
