Frank’s Rockette digs deep to win $175,000 Roxelana S.
April 29, 2023
Into Mischief’s brilliant 6-year-old mare Frank’s Rockette fought off a stern challenge to win the $175,000 Roxelana S. on the opening night of the 2023 Churchill Downs spring meet.
The win marked the 10th career stakes win for Frank’s Rockette, who has three straight stakes wins dating back to New Year’s Eve.
In the six-furlong Roxelana, Pretty Birdie set a very quick early pace of :21.97 for a quarter-mile and :45.12 for the half-mile, when the taxing fractions began to take their toll. Frank’s Rockette came three-wide into the stretch to take the lead, with Last Leaf mounting a challenge from the rail. Frank’s Rockette held her foe at bay with strong urging from Junior Alvarado, winning by three-quarters of a length in 1:09.86 on a fast track.
It was seven lengths back to the rest of the field.
“She was in good form going into last year and I think going into this year she’s as good as ever,” said winning trainer Bill Mott. “We certainly wouldn’t rule out eventually trying to get her a Grade I but we’ll take it one race at a time and see how she’s doing.”
Owned by her breeder Frank Fletcher, Frank’s Rockette is 12-9-3 in 27 starts and has earned $1,408,733. She is one of Into Mischief’s 13 black type winners this year, and her Saturday payday upped her sire’s 2023 progeny earnings over the $8 million mark.