Team Valor International's Australian-bred mare Oleksandra made a last-to-first rally in the final quarter mile under Joel Rosario to beat males in Saturday's Grade 1 Jaipur Stakes, overtaking longshot Kanthaka in the final strides of the Win and You're In” Breeders' Cup Challenge Series race for the Turf Sprint division.
Kanthaka, who opened a lead in mid-stretch, held second, with Texas Wedge third and Stubbins fourth in the field of eight older runners.
Trained by Hall of Famer Neil Drysdale, Oleksandra covered six furlongs on firm turf in 1:06.80 and paid $6.50 to win.
Oleksandra is a 6-year-old mare by Animal Kingdom, who won the Kentucky Derby and Dubai World Cup for Team Valor. She was bred in Australia by her owner and produced from the Caesura mare, Alexandra Rose.
Pure Sensation, the 2016 Jaipur winner making his fourth appearance in the race as a 9-year-old, broke slowly and rushed to the front early, setting fractions of :21.33 and :43.62 for the opening half mile. Stubbins, in close pursuit, moved to the lead at the top of the stretch but after five furlongs in :55.10 was overtaken by Kanthaka.
Oleksandra was last as the field rounded the final turn, swung wide and overtook Kanthaka nearing the wire.
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