New tactics help propel Serengeti Empress to Azeri win

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Trainer Tom Amoss said before the Grade 2, $350,000 Azeri Stakes at Oaklawn Park on Saturday he planned to tweak tactics with Serengeti Empress, the Kentucky Oaks winner who was coming off a narrow loss in her 4-year-old debut.

The plan worked to perfection. Serengeti Empress created separation from her rivals from the start of the 1 1/16-mile race, setting strong fractions and maintaining a clear advantage to the wire. She won by 6 1/4 lengths and earned a career-high Beyer Speed Figure of 102.

The win came off a runner-up finish in the Grade 3, $300,000 Houston Ladies Classic on Jan. 26 at Sam Houston.

“I thought we made a critical error slowing down the pace so much,” Amoss said. “It really let the whole field stay in the race. Our plan was to not do that today."

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Serengeti Empress ($5.80) broke on top under Joe Talamo, and was up by three lengths through an opening quarter in 23.33 seconds. She continued to maintain a clear advantage through a half-mile in 46.49 seconds and six furlongs in 1:11.34. She went on to cover 1 1/16 miles on a sloppy, sealed track in 1:44.46.

“It’s a validation,” Amoss said of the win for Serengeti Empress. “I think it’s a statement that says that we’re one of the top older handicap mares. By no means are we saying we’re the top. I think we’re in the discussion of the top older mares.”

Last year, Serengeti Empress ran third in the Breeders' Cup Distaff.

The Azeri runner-up was Mylady Curlin, who was followed home by Saracosa, Street Band, Lady Apple, and Rahway. Awe Emma reared at the start of the Azeri and unseated her rider, Richard Eramia. Eramia walked off, but said he experienced some dizziness in the immediate aftermath. He said later Saturday that he plans to ride Sunday. Awe Emma went on and raced with the field.

The Azeri was part of a card that included the Grade 2, $1 million Rebel won by Nadal and the $350,000 Essex Handicap won by Night Ops – the latter also ridden by Joe Talamo.

Talamo is new to the Oaklawn meet, having moved his tack here after 14 years in Southern California. He ranks third in the local standings with 26 wins, and is second in mount earnings with $1.9 million.

Saturday's races were contested without ontrack patrons, as a weekend policy at Oaklawn only enabled licensees to be in the grandstand area given concerns about the coronavirus pandemic.

Serengeti Empress is a daughter of Alternation who races for Joel Politi. She has now won six of 14 starts and the first-place check of $210,000 on Saturday pushed her earnings to $1,731,520. The Azeri was her third Grade 2 win, behind the Pocahontas at Churchill Downs and the Rachel Alexandra at Fair Grounds.

Amoss said Saturday night that he is initially pleased with how Serengeti Empress emerged from the Azeri.

“Our plan is to stay on the Oaklawn path and target the Apple Blossom,” he said.

The Grade 1, $1 million race for fillies and mares is April 18.