Race Recaps Oleksandra Cashes Big One Last Time In Poker June 20, 2021 Credit: NYRA / Elsa Lorieul Race Recaps Oleksandra Cashes Big One Last Time In Poker June 20, 2021 By: Curtis "Magic" Kalleward twitteremail Share: share on facebook share on twitter share on linkedin email this article ELMONT, NY – Team Valor International homebred Oleksandra cashed big one last time against the boys while making her final career start in Sunday’s $250,000 Poker Stakes (G3) at Belmont Park. Full Card Plays Now Available There’s a reason we’re the #1 trusted source for premium racing picks & info. Find Out Why Oleksandra broke slowly from post 2 under Joel Rosario at 17/1 odds and trailed the field down the backstretch as Get Smokin led through opening fractions of :22.52 and :44.60. Get Smokin still led off the far turn, but Oleksandra caught the field and began circling her rivals as Rosario tipped her out widest of all while cornering. The 3/5 favorite Raging Bull dove inside Get Smokin as his Chad Brown stablemate Front Run the Fed went outside, but neither horse was prepared for Oleksandra’s freight train-esque charge. Taking command inside the final furlong, Oleksandra dug deep to keep Raging Bull at bay as they separated from the field with 1/16 of a mile remaining. The Neil Drysdale trainee, in foal to top stallion Into Mischief, crossed a head clear while completing the firm one-turn outer turf mile in 1:32.11. Credit: NYRA / Susie Raisher “She ran a really tremendous race,” Rosario said. “She was really relaxed. The pace was fast and she was there for me. It was very impressive. We started picking up a little bit after 3 furlongs and she got her momentum with that stride that she has. At one point, I just decided to try going out a little bit. I didn’t want to get stuck.” The top pair finished 3 lengths clear of Front Run the Fed, who necked out Sanctuary City for third. Get Smokin, Penalty, Tell Your Daddy, Raased, and Veronesi completed the order of finish. Oleksandra’s win was her third time defeating male counterparts, with all 3 coincidentally coming at Belmont Park including last June’s Jaipur Stakes (G1). The Australian-bred 7-year-old Animal Kingdom mare retires with a record of 20-8-4-3 with $705,748 earned. “Since she’s more relaxed this year, we decided to try her at a mile hoping she could get the distance, and she did,” Drysdale said. “She’s pregnant, so this was her swan song. She’ll go out on a high note.” Oleksandra returned $36.80 to win, $7.30 to place, and $5.40 to show. Raging Bull brought back $2.60 to place and $2.10 to show. Front Run the Fed paid $3 to show.
Kentucky Downs and Del Mar Picks & Previews | Blinkers Off 683 The Racing Dudes preview and give picks for this weekend’s… Read More
Kentucky Downs Pick 5 Preview | The Magic Mike Show 565 The Magic Mike Show guys preview & give their tickets… Read More
College Football Picks & NFL Tips | Dudes Who Bet Sports 205 Aaron & Papa Dude give their College Football picks for… Read More
Pacific Classic 2024 Picks and Rapid-Fire | Blinkers Off 682 The Racing Dudes preview and give picks for Saturday’s $1… Read More
Del Mar Pick 5 Preview | The Magic Mike Show 564 The Magic Mike Show guys preview & give their tickets… Read More
Kentucky Downs Picks | Turf Sprint Stakes 2024 [Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint] Aaron previews the 2024 Turf Sprint Stakes (G2) at Kentucky… Read More
Kentucky Downs FREE Win Picks | September 7, 2024 Get our FREE win picks at Kentucky Downs on September… Read More
Del Mar FREE Win Picks | September 7, 2024 Get our FREE win picks at Del Mar Thoroughbred Club… Read More
Kentucky Downs Exacta Picks & Plays | Turf Cup Stakes 2024 [Breeders’ Cup Turf] Dr. Miranda gives her exacta picks & plays from the… Read More
Rocket Picks 🚀: Del Mar, Kentucky Downs, & Gulfstream Park for September 7, 2024 Let’s kick off another big day of horse racing with… Read More