Australian-bred Oleksandra came from last to win Saturday’s Gr1 $250,000 Jaipur Stakes (6f) at Belmont Park.
Settled at the rear of the field by Joel Rosario, Oleksandra (pic: NYRA/Adam Coglianese) was last into the home straight and still several lengths off the lead with a furlong to go before bounding home to grab Kanthaka in the final strides and score by a neck.
Oleksandra’s victory in the ‘Win and You’re In’ Jaipur assures her an all-expenses paid trip to the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint in November at Keeneland.
Trained by Neil Drysdale, the 5yo daughter of Kentucky Derby winner Animal Kingdom and South African Group 2 winner Alexandra Rose placed in all three of her starts in Australia and was winning at Grade 1 level for the first time however, Drysdale told the NYRA website he was expecting a solid performance.
“She had been training really well into this race,” Drysdale said. “She is so much fun to watch race. She makes life very exciting. At Santa Anita, going five and a half furlongs, it’s very difficult to run down speed.
“We were pleased with the way she ran and that’s why we sent her to Belmont.
“We’ll have to discuss (her next move) with Mr. Barry Irwin (Team Valor). Obviously, her final call of the year would be the Breeders’ Cup at Keeneland, and she’s won there before.”