Rockella wins easily

Rockella ($20.60) made an explosive move into the stretch as she scored an easy victory Monday in the $75,000 Palo Alto Stakes at Bay Meadows.

One of three Jerry Hollendorfer-trained runners in the field, Rockella settled in off the pace after bumping with stablemate Forest Huntress at the start of the 7 1/2-furlong turf race for 3-year-old fillies. She slipped farther behind down the backstretch as Forest Huntress cut out an honest pace.

Rockella moved four wide for room on the second turn and began edging into contention. When the field straightened for home, she found a new gear that no one else could match and defeated Macadamia by 4 1/2 lengths in 1:31.50. Forest Huntress won a four-way photo for third, another three-quarters of a length back.

Rockella, second in the May 12 Golden Poppy, was making her first start since June 8. She earned $45,000 for her fifth victory, lifting her career total to $159,505.