Zeitlos uses late surge for neck victory in Roxelana Stakes

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — In a competitive stretch drive resulting in a three-filly blanket finish, it was Zeitlos up by a neck to win the featured $200,000 Roxelana Stakes on Saturday night at Churchill Downs.

Speedy Traveler was aggressively sent in the early going, and came to the top of the stretch with the lead through a blistering opening half of 44.30 seconds. Happy Am I, who had been shut off early, made a brave run to sneak through tight quarters on the rail and was the first to collar the leader, putting a head in front.

Positano Sunset engaged those two in the three-path, but Dazzling Blue, sent away favored in her first start of the year, had the most momentum. Nearing the sixteenth grounds, she briefly snagged the lead from Happy Am I, who shifted well out off the rail to engage.

Finally, it was Zeitlos ($8.90), who had been seventh but with only about three lengths to make up, at the quarter pole under Joel Rosario, roaring up on the outside of those two. With the three shoulder to shoulder, they hit the wire with Zeitlos a neck in front of Dazzling Blue, and Happy Am I officially another three-quarters back in third.

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“There was a little bit of speed up front, she closed really nice,” Rosario said.

The final time for the six furlongs on the fast dirt track on a warm spring night was 1:09.01.

The top three were followed, in order, by Positano Sunset, Speedy Traveler, Current Climate, Last Leaf, Backyard Money, and Condensation.

Zeitlos, who is trained by Steve Asmussen for Stonestreet and Peter Leidel, has now won three of four starts this season. This was her second stakes win, after taking the Carousel in February at Oaklawn.

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