Amoss' top stakes horses hit 'starting point' on Risen Star day

The faith that trainer Tom Amoss has in graded stakes winners Serengeti Empress and Lone Sailor has maintained a high level throughout the winter. On Saturday at Fair Grounds, Amoss will put both of them to the test for their first start of the year but believes that their best days of the year are further down the road.  

Now a 4-year-old, Lone Sailor is set for his 2019 debut in the Grade 3, $150,000 Mineshaft Handicap, while Serengeti Empress will seek another Kentucky Oaks trail score in the Grade 2, $200,000 Rachel Alexandra Stakes.

“I think there are a lot of similarities between their fitness,” Amoss said. “With Lone Sailor we want a good effort and want to see him run a race where he finishes up well. In the end, it’s more about having a race to move forward from. I’m not trying to dismiss their chances but at the same time no matter how run; they’ll run better the next time.

"These races are not our end goal so this is a starting point but I do think they’ll run well.”

Owned by Joel Politi, Serengeti Empress has not raced since finishing a well-beaten seventh in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies. While she must first produce a good showing in Saturday’s race, the ultimate goal is the Grade 2, $400,000 Fair Grounds Oaks at the end of the meet on March 23 – the final Fair Grounds qualifying race for the Kentucky Oaks.

The daughter of Alternation has already acquired 10 points toward the Oaks with a stunning 19½-length runaway win in the Pocahontas Stakes (G2) last September at Churchill Downs.

“She’s really whatever you make her. She’s a lot of things,” Amoss said. “If you want her to be quick or want her to sit behind horses, she can do both. Precocious and good 2-year-olds don’t always become mature 3-year-olds, but she can. She’s built like an older horse and has a lot of substance to her and a lot of scope.

"Joel and I have worked together for the last seven or eight years. Coincidentally were at the [2017 Keeneland September Yearling] Sale at the same time and he and I spotted her together and we both liked her and were very fortunate enough to buy her for $70,000.”

G M B Racing’s Lone Sailor also races with a bigger goal in mind, which is the Grade 2, $400,000 New Orleans Handicap. He has not raced since finishing sixth in the Breeders’ Cup Classic, but Amoss envisions a prosperous year form him as well. 

“This is a one-step-at-a-time business,” Amoss said. “I think it’s safe to say we’d love to go to the New Orleans Handicap and the Fair Grounds Oaks and I feel like we have the best horse for those races. I think these are the kind that could get me there.”

Also running for Amoss on Saturday is Roiland in the featured Grade 2, $400,000 Risen Star. The James and Mary Durlacher-owned son of Successful Appeal made one start for Amoss this year when finishing seventh in the Lecomte Stakes (G3) on January 19. Nevertheless, Amoss’ faith in Roiland has not wavered.

“The Lecomte was a disappointment,” Amoss said. “With 3-year-olds it’s always a learning process until you season them and understand them. The race was over after the first 200 yards. Instead of maybe having him 20 lengths off the lead he’s 12 lengths off the lead this time and let his late run have some significance. I have not lost any confidence but he has to show it in the afternoons.”

All three of Amoss’ stakes contenders will be guided by Fair Grounds’ current leading rider, James Graham.