Serengeti Empress 'a go' for Kentucky Oaks, adding speed

Trainer Tom Amoss believed all was good with Serengeti Empress following Tuesday’s workout at Churchill Downs, but he needed a few more minutes to make her bid at the Kentucky Oaks official.

“I’m happy to report she’s perfectly clean — couldn’t scope any better,” said Kevin Dunlavy after the daughter of Alternation whipped through five furlongs in 58.20, then was checked over by the equine veterinarian.

Campaigned by Joel Politi, Serengeti Empress looked like a winner at the top of the stretch in the Fair Grounds Oaks (G2) but faded to last when she bled through Lasix, blocking her airways and complicating her future on the racetrack.

“Her short-term racing career was certainly on hold,” Amoss said. “We’ve now worked her twice at Churchill Downs. Today’s work by any standard — whether the fact that it was in company or how quick it was — lets you know that we let her exert today.

“We wanted to see again whether she bled. She did not. That’s really good news.”

"She's fast, and she can carry that speed," Amoss said.

While jockey Tyler Gaffalione was up Tuesday morning, Amoss said a rider remains to be determined for the Oaks. Splits were 12, 23.60, 35 and 46.60. The filly galloped out six furlongs in 1:11.60.

“She laid about two lengths off of a stablemate and then came and got her at the eighth pole,” Amoss said. “I feel certain that the so-called experts will call that last eighth of a mile a real wow. It was certainly a wow to me, and I’ve been doing this for 30-plus years.”

Tuesday's development won't make Serengeti Empress the favorite -- that title still belongs to the Santa Anita Oaks (G1) hero Bellafina -- but certainly contributes a serious contender to the field.

"She's the one to beat," Amoss said of Bellafina. "She's shown that she's maintained her form from 2 to 3. None of the others have done that, mine included. She'll be the favorite. She's a deserving favorite.

"A far as how the race plays out, there's no secret what we're going to do. We're going straight to the front."