Jockey Irad Ortiz, Jr. Wins Seven Straight at Gulfstream

Leading rider Irad Ortiz, Jr. equaled the record for most wins by a jockey on a card at Gulfstream Park Friday after riding the winners of seven consecutive races on a nine-race program.

Ortiz shares the Gulfstream record with four other jockeys: Hall of Famer Jerry Bailey (3/11/96), Tyler Gaffalione (7/4/17), Luis Saez (1/24/18; 3/29/18) and Paco Lopez (3/21/20).

Ortiz became the only jockey in Gulfstream history to win seven races in a row.

“It feels great. Everything worked out so good today. Everything came out perfect out there. It was one of those days where everything goes your way, so you enjoy it,” Ortiz said. “We had some live horses, and we always try to look on the positive side with them and ride them all with confidence. But every day doesn't work like today. It's hard, but today was one of those days.”

The 30-year-old jockey, who was recently awarded the Eclipse Award for the 2022 racing season, swept Races 2-8 on the nine-race card.

“It's my first time winning seven races in one day,” Ortiz said. “So, I feel great.”

The three-time Championship Meet titlist at Gulfstream guided Dignified ($7.20) to victory in Race 2 to start his streak before also scoring aboard Little Jewel ($4.20), Lakota Territory ($5.60), Riveting Spirit ($7), Tape to Tape ($4.20), Rhymes Like Dimes ($4.40) and Six Minus ($7.40) in Races 3-8, respectively.

Ortiz, who finished fifth aboard favored Maclin in Race 1, finished seventh aboard Turn On the Charm in Race 9.

Ortiz leads the Championship Meet standings with 44 winners, 10 more than defending champion Luis Saez.

The post Jockey Irad Ortiz, Jr. Wins Seven Straight at Gulfstream appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Friday Insights: Full To Bellafina Makes Belated Debut

Sponsored by Alex Nichols Agency

4th-GP, $84K, Msw, 4yo/up, 6f, 1:38 p.m.

Though making a belated debut as a 4-year-old, LAKOTA TERRITORY (Quality Road), bred in a partnership by Whisper Hill Farm, Three Chimneys, and JSM Equine, gets his chance to add to his family's legacy Friday out of the Todd Pletcher barn. Out of the Malibu Moon mare Akron Moon, the bay is a full-brother to MGISW Bellafina who brought a final bid of $4,000,000 from Coolmore's M V Magnier in foal to Tiz the Law at last fall's Fasig-Tipton Night of the Stars sale. Bellafina's first foal, a weanling filly by Uncle Mo, sold to Paramount Bloodstock for $1.35 million at the same sale. Also under Akron Moon is another full-sibling to Lakota Territory in MSW and MGSP Diamond King. She'll be represented this year by a 2-year-old Curlin colt who sold for $400,000 to Repole Stable & St. Elias Stables at the 2022 Keeneland September Sale. Recently crowned Eclipse winner Irad Ortiz, Jr. picks up the mount for owner JSM Equine LLC.

Another making a late start is A La Carte (Uncle Mo), a 5-year-old out of Canadian champion 3-year-old filly Leigh Court (Grand Slam). The Speedway Stables homebred recently turned in a bullet work for trainer Bill Mott, going five furlongs in 1:01 3/5 (1/5) Jan. 15. TJCIS PPS

The post Friday Insights: Full To Bellafina Makes Belated Debut appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

1/ST Donates $50,000 to TAA on Pegasus World Cup Day

1/ST celebrated more than decade long partnership with the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA) on Pegasus World Cup Day. For the second consecutive year, the Pegasus World Cup Filly & Mare Turf was named in honor of the TAA and in a presentation following the race, TAA representatives accepted a check for $50,000 from 1/ST.

“1/ST RACING & GAMING stands behind the efforts of the TAA and we are proud to make continued contributions to ensure our thoroughbred athletes receive the best care following their racing careers,” said Aidan Butler, Chief Executive Officer, 1/ST Racing & Gaming.

Added TAA Operations Consultant, Stacie Clark, “We are proud of our long history and partnership with 1/ST Racing. 1/ST continues to provide the TAA with a foundation of support through which we can promote the great and vital work done by our accredited organizations. We were thrilled to join our partners here once again at Gulfstream Park to enjoy a fantastic day of racing and to support our industry's deserving horses and the accredited organizations they call home.”

The post 1/ST Donates $50,000 to TAA on Pegasus World Cup Day appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Gun Runner Filly a ‘Rising Star’ at Gulfstream

Bandita (f, 3, Gun Runner–Tricky One, by Unbridled's Song), coming off her first set of works for now-eight-time Eclipse Award-winning trainer Todd Pletcher, cemented her status as a 'TDN Rising Star' at Gulfstream Park on Sunday afternoon. The bay filly, backed down to even-money favoritism, did not disappoint her connections or the bettors in what was a sparkling debut.

Breaking alertly, the Bass Stables colorbearer set the tone early by controlling the pace up front. Despite being challenged by Arrow Bolt (Arrogate) just before the far turn, the $350,000 KEESEP purchase moved professionally, and at the eighth pole poured it on by showcasing a new set of gears as the rest of the field faded into the background. Bandita hit the wire 8 3/4-lengths ahead of 7-2 shot Ocean Club (Curlin) who was second.

Tricky One, who was purchased by International Equities Holdings for $275,000 at the 2018 Fasig-Tipton Winter Mixed Sale, is a half-sister to MSW Optionality (Gun Runner) and SW Simple Surprise (Cowboy Cal), whose millionaire son GISW Gunite (Gunite) won Saturday's King Cotton S. at Oaklawn and could be Dubai-bound. The first runner to win at the races for her dam has an unnamed 2-year-old half-sister by Flatter and her mare visited Practical Joke last year. Bandita is the sixth 'TDN Rising Star' for last year's leading sophomore sire.

4th-Gulfstream, $70,000, Msw, 1-29, 3yo, f, 7f, 1:22.77, ft, 8 3/4 lengths.
BANDITA , f, 3, Gun Runner
          1st Dam: Tricky One, by Unbridled's Song
          2nd Dam: Simplify, by Pulpit
          3rd Dam: Classic Olympio, by Olympio
Sales History: $350,000 Ylg '21 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $42,000. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by TVG.  Click for the free Equineline.com catalog-style pedigree.
O-Bass Stables, LLC; B-International Equities Holding, Inc. (KY); T-Todd A. Pletcher.

The post Gun Runner Filly a ‘Rising Star’ at Gulfstream appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Verified by MonsterInsights