Serengeti Empress goes wire-to-wire to win Oaks

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Serengeti Empress went wire-to-wire to win the $1.25 million Kentucky Oaks — the premier race for 3-year-old fillies — by 1¾ lengths over Liora on Friday at Churchill Downs.

Serengeti Empress started from the

No. 13 post, led by the first turn and stayed ahead despite 38-1 shot Liora’s late attempt to close the gap.

Ridden by Jose Ortiz, Serengeti Empress covered 1 1/8 miles in 1:50.17 and paid $28, $14.80 and $9.60. Liora returned $32.60 and $17, and Lady Apple paid $7 to show.

Bellafina, who began as the Oaks’ 2-1 morning line favorite, finished fifth.

Game Winner’s breeding suggests a sloppy track would appeal to him, although he’s never raced on one. Neither has Code of Honor, Roadster, Tax and Vekoma.

Horses that are 1-for-1 on off-tracks are: Master Fencer, Maximum Security, Spinoff, Tacitus and War of Will.

Those with one or two losses on such tracks are: Bodexpress, By My Standards, Country House, Cutting Humor, Gray Magician, Improbable, Long Range Toddy, Plus Que Parfait and Win Win Win.

Keep an eye on Cutting Humor, if for no other reason than the 30-1 shot’s new rider is Mike Smith. The Hall of Famer picked up the mount Friday after his original Derby horse, Omaha Beach, was scratched.