Serengeti Empress targets Cotillion after Test runner-up effort
Joel Politi's Serengeti Empress came out of her gritty second-place finish to Covfefe in the Grade 1 Test last week in good order and will now target the $1 million Cotillion (G1) on Sept. 21 at Parx, trainer Tom Amoss said.
The three-time graded stakes-winner, who captured the Kentucky Oaks on May 3 at Churchill Downs, dueled with Covfefe down the lane in the seven-furlong Test on Saturday at Saratoga, finishing a half-length back to the winner, with third-place finisher Bellafina a further 8 ¾ lengths back.
It marked the second straight competitive runner-up effort for Serengeti Empress, who ran second to Guarana in the Acorn (G1) on Belmont Stakes Day, June 8.
"We're really proud of her,” Amoss said. “She ran really well, and I think her, along with the winner Covfefe, put on a great show.
“I'm disappointed she ran second but that's just how it goes. She came out of the race in good shape and we're pointing her to the Cotillion. She'll go back home to Louisville to prepare for that."
2019 Cotillion
| Rank | Silks | Horse / Sire | Rating | Trainer / Jockey | Last Start | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Serengeti Empress Alternation | T. Amoss |
| Probable | ||||
| Guarana Ghostzapper | C. Brown |
| Probable |