(Mink’s Palace, left, and Zeitlos are set to face-off in Saturday’s 16th running of the $200,000 Roxelana Stakes on Churchill Downs’ opening day / All Photos by Coady Media)

From the Churchill Downs Media Team / Darren Rogers:

PAST TWO ROXELANA WINNERS SET TO SQUARE OFF

IN SATURDAY’S MEET OPENING-DAY SHOWCASE

 

LOUISVILLE, KY (Monday, April 20, 2026) – Stonestreet Stables and Peter Leidel’s Zeitlos, winner of the 2024 Roxelana (Listed) presented by LG&E KU, and Summerhill Stables’ Mink’s Palace, winner of last year’s renewal, headline a field of eight fillies and mares entered Monday for Saturday’s 16th running of the $200,000 race.

To be run at six furlongs over the main track, the Roxelana headlines a 10-race opening-day program for the 44-day Spring Meet. First post is 12:45 p.m. (all times Eastern), with the Roxelana going as the ninth race with a 5:46 p.m. post time.

Trained by Steve Asmussen, Zeitlos has won four of seven starts at Churchill Downs and returned from a nearly five-month layoff to run fourth in Matron (Listed) at Oaklawn Park on March 27 to kick off her 6-year-old campaign. Jose Ortiz has the mount from post No. 6.

Mink’s Palace, also a four-time winner at Churchill Downs, will be making her 2026 debut for trainer Eddie Kenneally. In seeking to become the first two-time winner of the Roxelana, Mink’s Palace will be ridden by Luis Saez from post 3.

Expected to challenge the returning winners for favoritism is Jay Em Ess Stable’s Lotsandlotsofcandy for trainer Paul McGee. A winner of two of three Churchill Downs starts and back on her preferred surface, Lotsandlotsofcandy will be ridden by Brian Hernandez Jr. from post 4.

The field for the Roxelana from the rail out (with jockey and trainer):

  • One Magic Philly (Tyler Gaffalione, Brendan Walsh)
  • Jersey Pearl (Luan Machado, Darrin Miller)
  • Mink’s Palace (Luis Saez, Eddie Kenneally)
  • Lotsandlotsofcandy (Hernandez, McGee)
  • Lucille Ball (Axel Concepcion, Chris Englehart)
  • Zeitlos (Jose Ortiz, Steve Asmussen)
  • Vincey Girl (Irad Ortiz Jr., Jose D’Angelo)
  • Asternia (Joel Rosario, Randy Morse)

For tickets and more information for Kentucky Derby Week, visit www.kentuckyderby.com.

ABOUT CHURCHILL DOWNS RACETRACK

Churchill Downs Racetrack (“CDRT”), the world’s most legendary racetrack, has been the home of The Kentucky Derby, the longest continually held annual sporting event in the United States, since 1875. Located in Louisville, CDRT features a series of themed race days during Derby Week, including the Kentucky Oaks, and conducts Thoroughbred horse racing during three race meets in the Spring, September, and the Fall. CDRT is located on 175 acres and has a one-mile dirt track, a 7/8-mile turf track, a stabling area, and provides seating for approximately 60,000 guests. The saddling paddock and the stable area has barns sufficient to accommodate 1,400 horses and a 114-room dormitory for backstretch personnel. CDRT also has a year-round simulcast wagering facility. www.ChurchillDowns.com.