Bayerness Takes Roxelana on Opening Night at Churchill

Bayerness , winner of the Shine Again Stakes at Saratoga Race Course last August, returned from an eight-month layoff to run away with the $139,400 Roxelana Overnight Stakes April 30 on opening night of the spring meet at Churchill Downs before 22,207 fans.

Reduced to a field of three fillies and mares and delayed by 27 minutes because of inclement weather, Bayerness, ridden by Luis Saez, ran six furlongs over a floated muddy track in 1:09.74 to beat Club Car  by 4 1/2 lengths. It was another 3 1/4 lengths back to Cheetara .

Cheetara led early with Bayerness on her right hip through a first quarter-mile in :22.07. Around the turn, Bayerness swung wide and poked her head in front after a half-mile in :45.52 before drawing away in the stretch.

Bayerness, the 4-5 post-time favorite, paid $3.60 to win.

The winner is a 5-year-old daughter of Bayern  out of the Pure Prize  mare Weight No More . She was bred in Kentucky by Machmer Hall and races for Porsche Brooks' Belladonna Racing.

It was the fifth career win in 11 starts for Bayerness, and the $97,900 winner's share boosted her earnings to $427,928. She's won three of five starts at Churchill.

"We thought this would be a good spot to bring her back to begin her 5-year-old campaign," winning trainer Cherie Devaux said. "We brought her back at the same time last year. She likes it here at Churchill and we weren't too worried when it started to rain because she's won on a sloppy track here in the past."

Two years ago, Bayerness finished sixth in the Longines Kentucky Oaks (G1) but she's been limited to one-turn sprints in her last five starts.

Saturday's Roxelana annually honors the crack female sprinter who won seven of 11 starts and $264,726 between 2000-03 for owner/breeder William Landes III and late trainer William "Blackie" Huffman. Landes was on hand Saturday night to present the winning trophy.

Video: Roxelana Overnight S. (BT)