Sconsion, Bell's the One should get the pace setup they need

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – There seems to be enough speed in the Roxelana Stakes to trigger the late rallies of the two favorites, Sconsin and Bell’s the One. Both are confirmed stretch runners of elite quality, both good enough to earn a check last fall in the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint.

Quick tempo or not, just who can outkick who is the main question regarding the 11th running of the Roxelana, a $110,000 overnight stakes that drew a field of six and anchors the penultimate Saturday of the Churchill Downs spring meet. Bell’s the One was a half-length ahead of Sconsin when they were third and fourth in the Breeders’ Cup, but since then, Sconsin has hit her best stride, and she could wind up a slight favorite in this 6 1/2-furlong rematch.

Sconsin, a 4-year-old Lloyd Madison Farm homebred, comes off a rousing 3 1/4-length victory in the Grade 3 Winning Colors at Churchill and now wheels back three weeks later without an official breeze in the interim. Tyler Gaffalione, the meet’s leading jockey, will be aboard when they break from post 5.

“We’ve had a tentative summer plan for her by working backward from the Ballerina,” said trainer Greg Foley, referring to the key divisional race set for Aug. 28 at Saratoga. “So far, she’s handled everything we’ve thrown at her with flying colors.”

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Before the Winning Colors, Sconsin was second in the Grade 1 Derby City Distaff on the May 1 Kentucky Derby card behind heavily favored Gamine, the BC Filly and Mare Sprint winner last November at Keeneland and the reigning divisional champion.

Bell’s the One (post 4, Corey Lanerie) has posted four works over the local strip, including three bullets, since finishing nearly four lengths behind Sconsin when fourth as the second wagering choice in the Derby City Distaff. Before deciding to stay put for the Roxelana, trainer Neil Pessin had considered alternate spots in Chicago or Delaware for the 5-year-old mare, who would surpass the $1 million earnings mark with a victory Saturday.

As for race strategy, both favorites figure to be tracking the moves of Four Graces (post 3, Julien Leparoux), a handy filly facing the disadvantage of making her first start in nine months. A winner in four of her first five starts, including back-to-back Grade 3 triumphs at this time last year, Four Graces has had eight works at Churchill for trainer Ian Wilkes ahead of her 4-year-old debut. She’ll be a clear-cut third choice ahead of three longer shots.

A fresh Four Graces likely will have to contend early with Shesomajestic (post 1, Joe Talamo) and Jungle Juice (post 6, Adam Beschizza), both of whom own similar turns of early foot. The roles of those two outsiders may be limited to insuring an honest pace prior to Sconsin and Bell’s the One revving up.

Rounding out the cast is Miss Mosaic (post 2, Colby Hernandez).

All starters except the Irish-bred Jungle Juice are eligible for the $35,000 in Kentucky Thoroughbred Development Fund bonuses included in the total purse. None will be treated with the bleeder medication Lasix, in accordance with house rules for all stakes.

The Roxelana, named for the standout sprinter who won 7 of 11 career starts from 2000-03 for the late trainer Blackie Huffman, goes as the 10th of 11 races on a solid Saturday card that also includes three allowances (races 2, 7, 9) and three maiden-specials (races 1, 3, 11).

First post is 12:45 p.m. Eastern, with the feature going at 5:26. After nearly a week of dry conditions, the Saturday forecast calls for a 40 percent chance of rain and a high of 91.

The 38-day meet ends next Saturday with seven stakes, highlighted by a pair of Grade 2 Win and You’re In races toward the Breeders’ Cup, the Stephen Foster and Fleur de Lis. Ellis Park in western Kentucky starts its summer meet the following day, June 27.