Always a Runner outran them all in the $1.5 million Kentucky Oaks (G1) at Churchill Downs on Friday night, thanks to a perfectly timed ride by jockey Jose Ortiz.
It was a huge day for Ortiz, who brought home five winners on the 13-race Oaks card. His other winners included Corporate Power in the Alysheba Stakes (G2) and Kathymarissa in the Modesty Stakes (G3).
For those who bet horse racing, Jose Ortiz will be aboard Golden Tempo in Saturday’s $5 million Kentucky Derby (G1).
Always a Runner, now an unbeaten 3-0, gave trainer Chad Brown his first victory in the Oaks. Winning time for the 1 1/8-mile “Lillies for Fillies’’ was 1:48.82. She went off at 5-1 odds, the winner returned $13.04 on a $2 win bet.
Perched on the outside as Explora (and longshot Dazzling Dame early) and Meaning led the field of 13 around the far turn, Ortiz had Always a Runner in fifth position. When he asked her for a little more, the Gun Runner filly responded and won by 1 1/4 lengths.
WITH 5-1 ODDS, ALWAYS A RUNNER PULLS AWAY IN THE KENTUCKY OAKS! 🏇👀
📺: The 152nd Kentucky Oaks on NBC and Peacock pic.twitter.com/d18tMbA69x
— NBC Sports (@NBCSports) May 2, 2026
“She’s amazing. The way she moves. Very classy,’’ said Ortiz, who was aboard the filly for the first time. “Chad said, ‘Go out to get to know her in the work (which he did). She’s a Ferrari.’’
Brown was all smiles in the winner’s circle.
“She’s had only two start coming into this, but she’s been a star since day one,’’ he said.
(Derby betting tip: Brown sends out Emerging Market in the Derby, a colt with just two previous starts – like Always a Runner).
Meaning, among four fillies at 5-1 odds in the 13-horse field, finished second, with Counting Stars getting up for third ahead of Explora, trained by Bob Baffert.
Prom Queen was fifth, followed by Zany, Percy’s Bar, Dazzling Dame, Resist, Search Party, Pashmina, Lovely Grey, and Brooklyn Blonde.
It’s not often odds are so close for the favorite’s role: Zany was the official favorite at 5.11-1; Percy’s Bar was 5.32-1; Always a Runner was 5.52-1; and Meaning was 5.79-1.
The 152nd Oaks was run for the first time at night – in primetime – with track officials experimenting with a later post time, hoping for increased TV ratings and wagering.
Shred the Gnar ($8.42) held off a bid from favorite Fully Subscribed and won the $1 million La Troienne Stakes (G1) by a length.
Trained by Brian Lynch and ridden by Luis Saez, Shred the Gnar completed the 1 1/16 mile test for fillies and mares in 1:42.24.
Shred the Gnar took the lead at the three-sixteenth pole, was challenged at the eighth pole by Fully Subscribed but hung tough for the win.
“It’s a really good way to celebrate a birthday with a Grade 1,’’ trainer Brian Lynch said. “She didn’t handle things well at Gulfstream Park but once we got her back here to Churchill, she returned to the filly we knew she always was. She really touted herself coming into this race that she’d run a big race.”
Corporate Power ($13.20) edged Skippylongstocking by a neck in the $750,000 Alysheba Stakes (G2) after the two swapped bumps in the stretch that needed a stewards’ ruling.
Corporate Power (5-1), trained by Steve Asmussen and ridden by Jose Ortiz, bumped with Skippylongstocking, ridden by Tyler Gaffalione, no less than three times in a stretch duel. After objections were lodged and a stewards’ inquiry, the result stood.
Corporate Power, a 5-year-old moved to Asmussen’s stable earlier in the year, improved to 10-4-3-0 and is 2-for-3 in 2026. The field featured Baeza, who was third in his first start as a 4-year-old and for trainer Bill Mott following the death of Hall of Fame-elect John Shirreffs. He missed the break and dropped to the back of the pack before finishing strong to gain the show spot.
Skippylongstocking, trained by Saffie Joseph, Jr., had won three in a row before the tough loss.
Joseph called the ruling “a terrible decision.’’
Ortiz said: “It was a good race for me and my horse. We won it fair and square. There never should have been an objection.”
Moon Spun (13-1) led from the start and posted a three-quarters of a length victory over Shoot It True in the $474,000 Unbridled Sidney Stakes (G2) for fillies and mares.
Trained by Brian Lynch and ridden by Javier Castellano, Moon Spun ($29.18) completed the 5 ½ furlongs over firm turf in 1:01.64.
It was the first graded stakes win for the 5-year-old Moon Spun, who improved to 11-6-3-1.
On Time Girl, the 9-5 favorite, swept past dueling leaders in mid-stretch and drew off for a 1 1/2-length victory over Luv Your Neighbor in the $680,000 Eight Belles (G2).
Trained by Brad Cox and ridden by Irad Ortiz Jr., On Time Girl ($5.92) completed the 7 furlongs 1:22.16 in the race for 3-year-old fillies.
On Time Girl improved to 7-5-1-1.
“We asked her to stretch out in distance, and she gave us an honest effort. I think one turn is what she's best at right now,’’ Cox said.
Richard Rosenblatt is an award-winning journalist and former Associated Press Horse Racing Editor. Currently, he serves as the news editor at US Racing, overseeing exclusive content from contributors worldwide.
