Alternation gets a big boost from Oaks win by Serengeti Empress

Kentucky Oaks winner Serengeti Empress became the biggest winner yet for her sire, Pin Oak Stud’s homebred stallion Alternation, who continues to perform consistently from his relatively small numbers at stud.

Alternation, by Distorted Humor, was bred and raced by Pin Oak, which also bred and raced his dam and granddam. The millionaire won four graded stakes, taking the Grade 2 Peter Pan as a 3-year-old before winning the Grade 3 Razorback, Grade 2 Oaklawn Handicap, and Grade 2 Pimlico Special in 2012.

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According to Equineline statistics, Alternation’s first two crops of racing age number 144 total foals – notably fewer than many other stallions in the modern market. For comparison, Into Mischief, the busiest stallion in North America last year, covered 245 mares in 2018 alone.

From Alternation’s first two crops, 104 foals have started, or 72 percent of the group. He has 60 winners to date, for a solid strike rate of 58 percent winners from starters. The Kentucky Oaks marked the third graded stakes win to date for Serengeti Empress, who is now 5 for 7 lifetime and has become her sire’s first millionaire.

Alternation is also the sire of Grade 3 winner Limation and stakes winners Alter Moon, Diamonds R, and Substitution.