Serengeti Empress works half-mile for next Saturday's Cotillion

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Serengeti Empress hasn’t raced around two turns since her front-running victory in the Kentucky Oaks. So when the filly leaves Churchill Downs this week for the Grade 1 Cotillion at Parx Racing, her trainer wants her in the proper frame of mind.

“My main concern is she’s not in sprint mode in her head,” said Tom Amoss. “And I don’t think she is.”

Serengeti Empress had her final breeze toward the $1 million Cotillion when going a solo half-mile in 48.80 seconds before dawn Friday at Churchill. It was the third work for the Alternation filly since she was a close second to Covfefe in the seven-furlong Test on Aug. 3 at Saratoga, a race that followed a runner-up finish in the June 8 Acorn going a one-turn mile at Belmont Park.

The 1 1/16-mile Cotillion, to be run next Saturday, is the last Grade 1 dirt route this year restricted to 3-year-old fillies and is shaping up as a rugged spot, as usual, with Guarana, Jaywalk, and Street Band among those expected.

“The theme is the same,” said Amoss. “Our filly will use her speed, and she’ll use it early. We’re moving back to two turns, and she’s been highly effective in several of those races – the Oaks, the Pocahontas, the Rachel Alexandra. The main thing is to get her to use her speed but also relax like she did in her work this morning.”

Amoss said Serengeti Empress will be ridden by Irad Ortiz Jr., replacing his brother Jose, who is committed to Guarana for Chad Brown. Jose rode Serengeti Empress in the Oaks and Test, while Irad rode her in the Acorn.

Serengeti Empress, along with other Kentucky-based horses headed to Parx, is booked on a charter flight for Wednesday.