LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Seeking his first Kentucky Oaks win, trainer Chad Brown started Always a Runner on Friday despite the Gun Runner filly making only two previous starts (and winning both).
Today, seeking his first Kentucky Derby win, Brown will start Emerging Market despite the Candy Ride colt making only two previous starts (and winning both).
Inexperience was no problem for Always a Runner, who rallied past Michael McCarthy’s Meaning in the stretch to win by 1 1/4 lengths, with Counting Stars edging Bob Baffert’s pacesetter Explora for third.
Always a Runner, ridden by Jose L. Ortiz, wins the Kentucky Oaks at Churchill Downs on Friday in Louisville, Ky.
(Abbie Parr / Associated Press)
Was it an omen?
“If it’s working, we’re going to keep doing it. Two starts and go,” Brown said.
Jose Ortiz rode Always a Runner, picking up his fifth victory of the day (two more than brother Irad Ortiz Jr.). The filly, who didn’t start as a 2-year-old because she had pneumonia in the fall, completed 1 1/8 miles in 1:48.82 and paid $13.04 as one of four horses to go off at 5-1 in the contentious field (Zany, who finished sixth, was the actual favorite).
Among the other highlights Friday at Churchill Downs:
— In the only one of six stakes races not for females, Corporate Power ($13.20) survived a stewards’ inquiry to upset Skippylongstocking and Baeza in the $750,000 Alysheba at 1 1/16 miles. Jose Ortiz rode the winner for trainer Steve Asmussen. Baeza, third in last year’s Derby and Preakness, was starting for the first time for trainer Bill Mott, who took over when John Shirreffs died in February. The colt had not raced since last year’s Breeders’ Cup Classic.
— In a field that included defending race champion Queen Maxima and Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint winner Shisospicy, Moon Spun ($29.18) pulled off a 13-1 upset in the $500,000 Unbridled Sidney at 5 1/2 furlongs on the turf. Moon Spun was ridden by Javier Castellano for trainer Brian Lynch. Queen Maxima, trained by Jeff Mullins, was fourth and Shisospicy last in the field of seven.
— Brown and Jose Ortiz teamed up for another stakes win in the $500,000 Modesty, with Kathynmarissa ($8.58) outfinishing her stablemate, Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf champion Gezora.
— Shred the Gnar ($8.42), ridden by Luis Saez, held off favored Fully Subscribed to capture the $1 million La Troienne for older fillies and mares on the dirt. The winner is trained by Lynch.
— The most exciting finish of the day came in the $600,000 Edgewood, with four 3-year-old fillies finishing almost together after 1 1/16 miles on the turf. The victory went to favored Imaginationthelady ($6.88), with Tyler Gaffalione riding for trainer Brendan Walsh.
— In another race for 3-year-old fillies, favored On Time Girl ($5.92) won the $700,000 Eight Belles for trainer Brad Cox and Irad Ortiz Jr.
