Irad Ortiz, Jr. Picks Up Derby Mount On Domestic Product

Chad Brown has selected Irad Ortiz Jr. to ride his GIII Tampa Bay Derby winner Domestic Product (Practical Joke) in this year's GI Kentucky Derby.

The mount opened up when Sierra Leone (Gun Runner) won Saturday's GI Blue Grass S. with Tyler Gaffalione aboard. Gaffalione, also the regular rider of Domestic Product, will stick with the highly regarded Sierra Leone, who could be the second choice in the Derby.

“We were lucky enough to pick up Irad Ortiz on (Domestic Product). So he's going to ride him in the Derby, which is great,” Brown said.

Ortiz has had seven mounts in the Derby and has yet to hit the board with any. Brown is also 0-for-7 in the race.

While Sierra Leone may be his main gun, Brown thinks highly of Domestic Product.

“That horse is an under-the-radar real contender in the Derby,” Brown said. “He has a really fast figure at a mile-and-an-eighth as a two-year-old to keep working off of.”

Gaffalione is also a fan of Domestic Product.

“Tyler said to me, 'he's not that far behind (Sierra Leone).,” Brown said. “'Trust me, the horse goes a mile and a quarter. There's not as much separating these horses as you think. That's what he told me.'”

Domestic Product broke his maiden in his second career start last fall at the Belmont at Aqueduct meet. After a poor effort in the GII Remsen S. he was second in the GIII Holy Bull S. He then won the Tampa Bay Derby by a neck over No More Time (Not This Time).

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Irad Ortiz, Jr. And Saffie Joseph, Jr. Defend Gulfstream Titles

The Gulfstream Park Championship Meet ended Sunday with jockey Irad Ortiz, Jr. and trainer Saffie Joseph, Jr. defending their respective titles. Ortiz finished the meet with 119 winners, a mark that saw him top the rider's standings for the fifth time in the last six seasons.

“It went very good for us,” said Ortiz. “It means a lot to win another title here. They make me feel at home here. The owners, everybody training here, the whole organization– security and the people who work here–they make me feel good. I have great support from the trainers and owners of Florida, and I appreciate it. I'm so happy to win another title here.”

Saffie Joseph, Jr. trained 66 winners through the meet, good enough to lead Todd Pletcher in the standings and pick up his third-straight training title.

“We're thankful for the opportunities from the owners, the team we have–how hard they work and all the effort they put in–and most importantly to have the horses we have,” said Joseph. “The horses are the biggest piece of the puzzle. The horses make everyone look good.”

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Stewart’s Resolute Racing And MiddleGround Capital To Sponsor April Keeneland Stakes, Goodnight Olive To Appear

John Stewart, who owns Resolute Racing and founded MiddleGround Capital, will sponsor two Keeneland dirt sprint stakes which will be run opening weekend of the Spring Meet, the track said in a release on Thursday.

Resolute Racing will add its name to the $600,000 GI Madison S. which will run on Saturday, Apr. 6, while MiddleGround Capital will sponsor the $400,000 GII Beaumont S. on Sunday, April 7.

“My partner Scot Duncan and I have always enjoyed taking our family, friends, co-workers and investors to the races at Keeneland,” Stewart said. “The Spring Meet is a significant event for the local community and the Thoroughbred horse racing industry. Everyone in Kentucky looks forward to the Spring Meet with enthusiasm and optimism. We are honored to support these prestigious events that historically represent the Bluegrass region as well as many of the best competitors in horse racing.”

John Stewart | Keeneland

Among the winners of the newly-minted Resolute Racing Madison is Goodnight Olive (Ghostzapper), who Stewart purchased last year and then retired from racing. Fans will be able to see the two-time Eclipse Award winner who is currently in foal to Not This Time while she is paraded in the Paddock between 8:30 a.m. and 9 a.m. ET. Apr. 6 during Keeneland's Sunrise Trackside program.

“Keeneland is pleased to welcome Resolute Racing and MiddleGround Capital to our team of race sponsors,” Keeneland Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer Christa Marrillia said. “Their participation signifies John Stewart's passion and growing involvement in the Thoroughbred industry.”

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Thursday Insights: Pretty Liam Looms Large In First-Level Allowance

8th-GP, $91K, Alw/Opt. Clm., 3yo, f, 5f (AWT), 3:39 p.m. ET
St. Elias homebred PRETTY LIAM (Liam's Map) opened her account in outstanding fashion at first asking, firing home to take a course-and-distance maiden by a widening 3 3/4 lengths Jan. 11, good for a lofty 85 Beyer Speed Figure. Irad Ortiz, Jr. has a return call aboard the bay, whose year-older half-sister Danse Macabre (Army Mule) was a leading turf female of her generation in 2023, winning this track's GIII Herecomesthebride S. and three other stakes around one turn, including the valuable Untapable S. at Kentucky Downs. The winning dam Sylphide (Blame) is a half-sister to three-time graded winner and multiple Grade I-placed Cambodia (War Front) and the deeper female family includes the U.S.-bred three-time champion sprinter in South Africa Overarching (Arch), herself responsible for Grade 1 winner Lady of the House (SAf) (Dynasty {SAf}). TJCIS PPs

 

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