Rising Cross, who had been supplemented to the Oaks field, tried to close the gap on Alexandrova, but she stumbled badly near the final furlong. Jockey George Baker did a great job in staying in the saddle, and the pair hung gamely on for second. Short Skirt finished third.Alexandrova was coming off a second-place finish to Short Skirt in the Tattersalls Musidora Stakes (Eng-III) on May 17. Prior to her Oaks win, she had only a maiden victory to her credit.Alexandrova is by Sadler's Wells out of the winning Shirley Heights mare, Shouk. She is a half-sister to group I winner, Magical Romance.
Alexandrova landed another English classic for trainer Aidan O'Brien and owners Susan Magnier, Michael Tabor, and Derrick Smith when flying home an easy winner of the 228th running of the Vodafone Oaks (Eng-I) at Epsom on Friday.The bay filly lingered near the rear of the pack during the early stages of the race, as Stan James One Thousand Guineas Stakes (Eng-I) winner Speciosa bounded along on the front end. There was little change throughout the first mile, as Speciosa easily held the lead from Time On and Guilia.Once the fillies rounded Tattenham Corner however, Speciosa faced challenges from all sides. Kieren Fallon had Alexandrova ready to fire and when he asked, the filly inhaled the field and rolled to an impressive victory.
