Jockey Jose Ortiz races Always a Runner in the 152 running of the Kentucky Oaks on May 1, 2025(Courtesy / Churchill Downs)In a Kentucky Oaks race that started more than two hours later than previous years, Always a Runner cruised to victory at Churchill Downs.The 3-year-old filly finished the 1-⅛ mile race in 1:48, taking the winner's share of the $1.5 million purse.“Around the far turn, she really started coming with a big run,” said jockey Jose Ortiz, who placed first in five races on Oaks Day.Meaning, with 5-1 odds, and Counting Stars, with 6-1, came in second and third, respectively.Always a Runner, owned by Douglas Scharbauer Three Chimneys Farm LLC, had 10-1 odds leading up to the race. She paid $13.04 to win, $7.46 to place and $5.44 to show, based on a $2 bet.Trainer Chad Brown said Always a Runner’s win came in the aftermath of the filly’s pneumonia diagnosis last summer.“Her career was really up in the air, she didn't have to be here today,” he said. “I've had it happen with several horses, so the fact that not only did she overcome it and ended up here today is remarkable.”Always a Runner is undefeated in three starts.Over 103,000 people attended the Kentucky Oaks on Friday, with many wearing pink in honor of breast cancer survivors. ...read more read less