Son of Oaks Winner Captures Keeneland Maiden

This column highlights the performances of 3-year-old maidens who have made no more than five starts and who either sold for more than $500,000 at public auction, have siblings that are graded/group winners, or have dams that are graded/group winners. BloodHorse research shows maiden winners, in particular, who meet these criteria are more likely to go on to be graded stakes winners.

Keeneland

There could be no better-fitting name than Invictus for the first foal out of Kentucky Oaks (G1) heroine Serengeti Empress. Shortly after the white-faced Into Mischief  colt turned on the afterburners for a convincing second-time out score April 8 at Keeneland, photos and videos capturing the colt rearing skyward began appearing across racing social media. As if signaling the cry of battle, Invictus’ bold and brazen display evoked allusions to William Ernest Henley’s famous poem by the same name.

Just like in Henley's poem, which details themes of unwavering resilience in the face of adversity, the horse Invictus as well as his gritty dam overcame their own obstacles on the path to glory.

Serengeti Empress, a $70,000 yearling, was talented from the start for owner Joel Politi and trainer Tom Amoss. A three-time stakes winner by the time she stepped into the starting gate for the 2019 Kentucky Oaks (G1), many had lost faith in the filly after she had finished a disappointing seventh in the Fair Grounds Oaks (G2). However, Amoss later said that the talented near-black filly had bled badly in her final prep for the Oaks, and it was only through a combination of careful management and raw tenacity that Serengeti Empress defied the odds with a glowing front-running triumph on the first Friday in May.

Invictus, bred by Politi, was a gem from the start. The handsome colt, a son of a six-time leading stallion and Kentucky Oaks winner, commanded $1.2 million to the dynamic partnership of CHC/Maverick Racing/Siena Farm at the 2023 Keeneland September Sale.

Unveiled in what was later one of the maiden contests of the year last summer at Saratoga, as it included eventual grade 1 winner Chancer McPatrick and this year's Louisiana Derby (G2) hero Tiztastic and Virginia Derby winner American Promise, Invictus would finish no better than seventh.

Targeting a spring start for the Brad Cox barn, Invictus' connections landed on a seven-furlong maiden special contest on the rescheduled Blue Grass Stakes (G1) undercard for the colt's comeback race. Chasing the pace early under jockey Flavien Prat, the colt closed stoutly down the center of the track, and despite switching back to his incorrect lead, finished full of run.

Invictus stopped the clock in 1:23.51 and was 2 1/2 lengths clear of his rivals, his performance fashioned with a sparkling 104 Equibase Speed Figure.