One Magic Philly Sharp in Roxelana Victory

Cutting back to 6 furlongs for the first time since last May, One Magic Philly rolled to a 2-length victory in the April 25 Roxelana Stakes, the feature race on opening day of Churchill Downs' spring meet. In that May 2025 start, One Magic Philly finished third behind victorious Zeitlos in the Skipat Stakes at Pimlico Race Course. That returning rival, winner of the 2024 Roxelana, was favored in Saturday's race, but failed to menace and finished fourth. Sporting blinkers for the first time since December 2024 and breaking from the rail, One Magic Philly was jostled a bit by Jersey Pearl, but recovered well under Tyler Gaffalione to settle in a stalking position. Jersey Pearl hustled to the lead to set early fractions of :22.57 and :45.62, with Asternia in second on her outside and One Magic Philly in third to the inside. As the field rounded the far turn, those two advanced on the leader, but One Magic Philly was moving best of all and bounded through on the rail to assume command. She hit the wire a comfortable 2 lengths in front in a sharp final time of 1:08.64. The 5-year-old Good Magic mare paid $7.20 to win as the second choice in the six-horse field. Jersey Pearl held for second with Asternia third. Trained by Brendan Walsh for owner/breeder John Gallegos, One Magic Philly earned her second stakes victory and elevated her record to 5-3-1 in 14 starts with earnings of $492,662.