Serena’s Song Scores Nine-Length Victory

Serena’s Song, racing again less than two weeks after her 16th-place finish in the Kentucky Derby, rolled to a nine-length victory Friday in the $200,000 Black-Eyed Susan Stakes at Pimlico.

Back in her own division, Serena’s Song was in second place, behind Rare Opportunity, until just before the quarter pole. She came home under Gary Stevens, finishing in 1:48 2/5 for 1 1/8 miles. That time, on a drying-out track listed as fast, was within one-fifth of a second of the stakes record, set by the Lukas-trained, Stevens-ridden Imaginary Lady in 1989. The Black-Eyed Susan was run at a shorter distance before that year.

“It was a pleasure being on her back today,” Stevens said. “Had this race been two weeks ago, I would have encouraged them to run in the Preakness.”

Serena’s Song, who races for Bob and Beverly Lewis of Newport Beach, paid $2.80, winning for the ninth time in 16 starts and adding $121,455 to an earnings total that now stands at more than $1.3 million. Conquistadoress finished second, 1 1/4 lengths ahead of Rare Opportunity, and Forever Cherokee, Post It, Forested and Stormy Blues completed the order of finish.

Lukas and Stevens also combined to win Thursday’s Miss Preakness Stakes with Lilly Capote. Serena’s Song gave Lukas his fourth Black-Eyed Susan victory.

“This filly had just had a marvelous 10 or 12 days after the Derby,” he said. “There was no sign of her not being good. I’m glad we were able to show the people of this area a very special filly. I didn’t think we were risking anything.”

Lukas said that Serena’s Song will return to California for races at Hollywood Park before heading back East for the Alabama Stakes at Saratoga in August.