Rachel Alexandra won a spectacular 20 1/4-length victory in the 500,000-dollar Kentucky Oaks on Friday.

The filly’s performance no doubt left many Derby contenders thankful that her connections hadn’t elected to run her in the first jewel in US flat racing’s Triple Crown, preferring to race her against other females rather than take on the country’s top colts in the Kentucky Derby.

Rachel Alexandra tracked the early pace of Gabby’s Golden Gal through fractions of :23.75, :47.46, and 1:11.81 before accelerating to the front with the greatest of ease. She was already ahead by ten lengths with a furlong remaining.

The winner paid $2.60, $2.20 and $2.10. Stone Legacy, a 25-1 shot with Kent Desormeaux aboard, rallied for second and paid $11 and $5, while Flying Spur with Garrett Gomez claimed third and paid $2.80.

The eve of the Derby at Churchill Downs was marred by the death of Stormalory, a three-year-old colt that was euthanized after breaking down during the 150,000 -dollar American Turf Stakes.