A runner has always won the 152nd Kentucky Oaks

Louisville, Ky. — ALWAYS A RUNNER won the 152nd edition of the Kentucky Oaks on Friday night, with the top 3-year-old fillies running under the race lights for the first time in prime time at Churchill Downs.

It was the first win in a top 3-year-old filly race for trainer Chad Brown. Ridden by Jose Ortiz, Always A Runner made a move around the final turn and needed every bit of stretch to pass Bob Baffert’s Explora and Michael McCarthy’s Money before the finish line of the 1⅛-mile race.

Money was second, and Counting Stars third.

Always a runner rose to stardom after contracting pneumonia at age 2 and being treated for it. He is now 3-for-3 in his only home run.

“What an incredible talent,” Brown said. “This filly is very resilient, very tough.”

Brown will try to pull off the Oaks-Kentucky Derby double Saturday with emerging markets. He also never won the Derby.

The first night was one for the Kentucky Oaks history books, but also in front of a huge crowd of empty seats. Many of the fans who filled the grandstands and the track from late morning to late afternoon left before sunset. Oaks are usually run before 6 p.m