RONNIE WARD TRAINEE TURNS IN HUGE EFFORT UNDER JOCKEY JUAN VARGAS

 

 

VINTON, LA. – Saving her best stride for late, Bob Mahoney’s 4-year-old filly Eileen Alexandra rallied in the stretch to win a dramatic edition of the $70,000 Rosewater Stakes at Delta Downs on Thursday night. The win came at the expense of Final Quest, who was leading in the final strides before being overtaken by the eventual winner.

Under jockey Juan Vargus, Eileen Alexandra was reserved early in the 7 1/2-furlong test of Louisiana-bred fillies and mares. As pacesetter Lutie Mo showed the way through fractional times of 23.71 seconds for the opening quarter mile and 48.80 for the half, Eileen Alexandra sat back in mid pack before jockey Juan Vargas took her to the middle of the track for a clear run around the far turn.

Gaining momentum as the field turned for home, Eileen Alexandra took dead aim on the leader Final Quest as the latter clocked three-quarters of a mile in 1:14.32. During the stretch run, Final Quest could not hold sway as Eileen Alexandra just got up in the final jump to win the race by a head. It was another 5-3/4 lengths back to the third-place finisher Mishpachah. The final running time for Eileen Alexandra was 1:34.52 seconds over a fast track.

The win by Eileen Alexandra was the fifth of her 18-race career. She earned $42,000 for the effort and now has a lifetime bankroll of $214,436.

Bred in Louisiana by her owner, the Ronnie Ward trainee is a chestnut filly by Jess’s Dream out of the Mr. Greeley mare Miss Stonestreet.

Sent to the gate at odds of 11-1, Eileen Alexandra paid $25.20 to win, $10.60 to place and $5.80 to show. Final Quest returned $5.20 to place and $3.80 to show. Mishpachah was worth $3.80 to show.