Roxelana wins 6-year-old debut

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. - Roxelana won her 6-year-old debut by two lengths over Grade 1 winner See How She Runs in the first race Wednesday at Oaklawn Park. Roxelana will start next at either Keeneland or Churchill Downs, most likely in a stakes, said her trainer, Blackie Huffman.

"We're not really pointing for anything in particular," he said. "We'll just play it by ear."

Roxelana broke sharply and was in command of the six-furlong allowance for fillies and mares through an opening quarter in 22.43 seconds. She led through a half-mile in 45.83 seconds with See How She Runs in close pursuit, and then increased her lead in the stretch to cover the distance over a fast track in 1:09.78.

Roxelana paid $4 as the favorite.

Larry Melancon rode Roxelana. The win was her seventh from 11 career starts. She races for her breeder, William Landes III.

Roxelana's biggest career win came at seven furlongs at Churchill Downs in the Grade 3 La Troienne in 2000. One of the races she will be considered for is the Grade 1, $200,000 Humana Distaff on May 3, also seven furlongs at Churchill.