Margaux Freshening & Training Grad OLEKSANDRA (AUS) flew home, defeating the boys to win the G3 Poker S., going 1 mile on the Belmont turf course June 20.
The 7 YO G1W mare broke last after brushing the hindquarters of fellow G1W RAGING BULL, and settled at the back of the pack as GET SMOKIN led the field through early fractions of :22.52 and :44.60. Under a perfectly timed ride from Joel Rosario, OLEKSANDRA (AUS) angled wide into the upper stretch and made a tremendous run home, outlasting RAGING BULL by a head to win in 1:32.11.
Owned by Team Valor International and trained by Neil Drysdale, this is the 3rd graded stakes and eighth overall victory for the 7 YO daughter of ANIMAL KINGDOM, bringing her bankroll to $705,748. She is presumed in foal to international leading sire INTO MISCHIEF and will begin her next chapter as a broodmare after an incredible racing career.
