Always a Runner wins the 152nd Kentucky Oaks - ESPN

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Trainer Chad Brown got the scary call last fall that Always a Runner had a serious case of pneumonia, something that would keep her from racing as a 2-year-old.

«This filly was struggling,» Brown said. «Her career was really up in the air.»

After more than a month in a veterinary clinic and treatment with a hyperbaric chamber, she began her racing career in February. On Friday night, Always a Runner showed her toughness once again by winning the Kentucky Oaks against some of the best 3-year-old fillies around in the 152nd edition of the race and the first run under the lights in prime time at Churchill Downs.

«This filly is very resilient, very tough,» Brown said after winning the Oaks for the first time. «She didn't have to be here today. She didn't have to run again. She could have never run, easily. I've had it happen with several horses. The fact that not only did she overcome it and ended up here today as an undefeated horse in the Oaks is just remarkable.»

Ridden by Jose Ortiz, Always a Runner made a move around the final turn and needed every bit of the stretch to pass Bob Baffert's Explora and and Michael McCarthy's Meaning before the finish line of the 1⅛-mile race.

Meaning was second by 1¼ lengths and Counting Stars third. Always a Runner finished in 1:48.62 and paid $13.04 to win, $7.46 to place and $5.44 to show.

«We were there every step of the way,» McCarthy said. «Kudos to Chad, that filly came running. We were second best.»

Always a Runner impressed Ortiz, who had never ridden her in a race before the Oaks — just a morning workout. She's now 3-for-3.

«Chad was very confident in her,» said Ortiz, who won five races on Friday at Churchill Downs. «He knew what he had. He told me, 'Just go