Bayerness Takes Roxelana on Opening Night at Churchill - Belladonna TB

Club Car was second and Cheetara third in the short field.

By BloodHorse Staff

Bayerness , winner of the Shine Again Stakes at Saratoga Race Course last August, returned from an eight-month layoff to run away with the $139,400 Roxelana Overnight Stakes April 30 on opening night of the spring meet at Churchill Downs before 22,207 fans.

Reduced to a field of three fillies and mares and delayed by 27 minutes because of inclement weather, Bayerness, ridden by Luis Saez, ran six furlongs over a floated muddy track in 1:09.74 to beat Club Car  by 4 1/2 lengths. It was another 3 1/4 lengths back to Cheetara.

Cheetara led early with Bayerness on her right hip through a first quarter-mile in :22.07. Around the turn, Bayerness swung wide and poked her head in front after a half-mile in :45.52 before drawing away in the stretch.

Bayerness, the 4-5 post-time favorite, paid $3.60 to win.

The winner is a 5-year-old daughter of Bayern  out of the Pure Prize  mare Weight No More . She was bred in Kentucky by Machmer Hall and races for Porsche Brooks’ Belladonna Racing.