Ortiz Barn Shines Bright with Undefeated Filly

John Ortiz draws the analogy of playing cards to what it feels like going into a stakes race at Saratoga. Everyone keeps their hand close and you never can tell who might be bluffing.

But the trainer of Brightwork (Outwork) may have let his poker face slip when he spoke with Irad Ortiz Jr. in the paddock ahead of the GIII Adirondack S. on Sunday.

“I walked in there confident and with a smile,” Ortiz shared. “Irad had worked her and I said, 'You know what you've got and I know what I've got, so just ride her like a big horse.'”

Despite bobbling at the break, Brightwork delivered just as her up-and-coming trainer had hoped, achieving a perfect 3-for-3 record as she swung four wide in the stretch and drew away to win by five lengths sporting the silks of Bill and Tammy Simon's WSS Racing. The victory gave Ortiz his first stakes win in Saratoga.

“I'm very proud that we got to win here,” he reflected. “I feel like I belong. I'm not a rookie trainer anymore. We've all got something to learn on the racetrack every day, but I feel like we know what we're doing. We're here to compete. All the hard work through my entire life, all the good choices and all the bad choices I've made in my life, have paid off.”

Ortiz now has two wins and a stakes placing on his record during his first Saratoga meet this year, but it was only a few years ago that the young trainer was questioning his decision to launch his own stable.

After taking out his trainer's license in 2016, his numbers had dropped from seven horses to four by the end of the first year and he wondered if his dream was going to work out. But then, the Midwest-based conditioner got a call from two key clients–former Walmart CEO Bill Simon and Hootie Moore of Hootie's Racing. Those two stables joined in with Ortiz's longtime client 4G Racing and the wins slowly started to collect.

Jared Hughes, Bill Simon, John Ortiz and the rest of the Brightwork crew | Sarah Andrew

“We had a lot of claimers and we went through a lot of emotions in those first years,” said Ortiz. “But people noticed that it didn't matter what kind of horse we had, we just gave it our all. [Our owners] know how much we care about these animals day in and day out. From me and all through my grooms, we talk about how special we treat our horses.”

Another key to Ortiz's early success was his connection with bloodstock agent Jared Hughes. Hughes picked up Barber Road (Race Day) for $15,000 as a weanling and the colt went on to take WSS Racing to their first Kentucky Derby last year. The agent has since found another standout in Brightwork.

Hughes purchased Brightwork, a daughter of the unraced Malibu Moon mare Clarendon Fancy, for $95,000 at the 2021 Fasig-Tipton November Sale. He believed that what the filly may have lacked in pedigree was made up for by a standout physical.

“That year we bought five babies and she was the first one we bought,” recalled Hughes. “I try to focus on horses that really stick out to me. She was a beautiful foal–a big, frame-y filly and she really stood out above her peers. That's what stood out to me was how big and strong she was.”

The WSS Racing model involves purchasing around half a dozen foals at the weanlings sales each fall and then refining the group the following year–adding in a few yearling purchases and re-selling one or two to pay for the new additions. Hughes explained that the system works to their advantage as it allows him to focus on finding the horses he likes physically instead of hunting down the most commercial prospects.

“It allows for a lot of flexibility and I think if we buy them early, we aren't paying a premium,” he said. “We can get to know them and decide which ones we want to sell.”

After spending time at Fallbrook Farm, Brightwork was sent to Ortiz's father Carlos Ortiz, a former jockey who now runs Ortiz Training Stables in Ocala. Ortiz said that after his father had spent just a few days with the filly, he told his son that she was one to watch out for.

Daniel Ortiz and Brightwork | Sarah Andrew

Brightwork arrived at Ortiz's Keeneland barn in the springtime and, while Ortiz said he normally doesn't send out many 2-year-olds in April, he soon knew she would be an exception. Brightwork made her debut a winning one on April 26 after dueling with Stonestreet-owned Barbtourage (Into Mischief ) in the stretch. The third-place finisher was future G2 Queen Mary S. winner Crimson Advocate (Nyquist).

“She wasn't there 100% fitness-wise, but she was 100% mentally there,” Ortiz explained. “That's why we decided to give it a shot. Sometimes with baby races, I think if they have a little bit of an idea of what they're out there to do, they get the job done. We were amazed that she showed a lot of heart and toughness because she got bumped and then was able to come back and pass through the rail. Not a lot of 2-year-olds run on like that once they get passed.”

Following the victory, Ortiz and his team sketched out a plan to get to the Breeders' Cup. After additional scores in the Debutante S. and the Adirondack, they are now on to the GI Spinaway.

“After her debut, I told Jared that he better get ready to pick out a purple tie,” Ortiz said with a grin. “That was back at Keeneland and I'm still looking for that tie.”

“If anyone knows me, I don't like to wear ties,” added Hughes. “I told Johnny if he gets her to the Breeders' Cup, I will go buy the tie.”

Ortiz is a native of Columbia, but he moved to New York as a child and grew up tagging along with his father at the Bill Mott barn. He started his career as a hot walker for Mott and would later become a traveling assistant for the Hall of Fame trainer before working for Graham Motion and Barclay Tagg. He met Hughes in Kentucky while working for Kellyn Gorder and opened his stable shortly after.

“When he first came to Kentucky, he was just this kid from New York,” recalled Hughes. “He was different from me, but I had a lot to learn from him. He's a great rider and a great horseman. Johnny just has the “it” factor. He speaks horse. He understands them and he listens. This is his first year in New York and it's a big deal for him to be here. We planned to bring a small group up here to try it, but it really came down to us needing Brightwork to be who she is to get to go. When she won at Ellis, it made it easy.”

The Ortiz barn has been a Saratoga success outside of Brightwork's victory. Fellow WSS Racing colorbearers Unsung Melody (Maclean's Music) ran third in the Wilton S. and Urgent Fury (Creative Cause) broke his maiden on July 28.

During the week Ortiz returns to visit his strings in Kentucky, but he relies on the help of his 24-year-old brother Daniel to hold down the fort in Saratoga.

“We discussed this a long time ago,” explained Ortiz. “I told my brother that I would need him to be able to step up and represent the Ortiz family, not just the barn. We're all working on this together. I don't have my name on the logo. It's just two stripes. He has risen to the challenge and made me very proud. He's been doing a great job not just representing me, but the horses themselves. They look incredible and he has taken a lot of pride in the work he's putting in.”

Brightwork wins by five in the Adirondack | Sarah Andrew

Family is an important aspect of the Ortiz stable. From the horses to the clients to the grooms, Ortiz considers them all a member of his team.

“I have learned a lot from Mr. Bill [Simon],” he said. “He's a really good role model and a good mentor. To be able to win for these types of connections is incredible. Jared has been like an older brother to me and the fact that my dad is the one that always gets my babies started, we all have a really good connection.”

“It is definitely like a family,” Hughes added. “Bill and Tammy treat us like family. They allow us to make decisions. They allow us to make mistakes. This game has a lot of highs and lows, so you really need to enjoy who you're doing it with. We just enjoy being around each other and it means so much because we're doing it together.”

Enjoying the talents of a filly like Brightwork, Ortiz and Hughes agreed, makes their experience together all the more special.

“It means so much because we're doing it together,” Hughes explained. “To have a filly like this with unlimited potential, it means the world. I gave Johnny a big hug in the winner's circle and he said, 'I love you, bro' and that's what I'll remember.”

“This filly brings us all together,” Ortiz said. “Everybody takes pride in what we do for her, with her and because of her. She's just special.”

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Who Will Be This Year’s Leading First-Crop Sire?

From this year's class, which freshman sire will emerge on top? And what sire currently flying under the radar will be the year's biggest surprise? With 2-year-old sales season upon us, over the next few days, we will be hearing from some of the experts.

NIALL BRENNAN

Top Pick: Vino Rosso (Curlin–Mythical Bride, by Street Cry {Ire}). Spendthrift Farm, 2023 fee: $15,000.

The Mitoles were popular at the yearling sales and they sold well at the OBS March sale. They look like they will be early types. There will be some pressure on him because the expectation for him will be for him to get quite a few 2-year-old winners. I have a Vino Rosso who is quite nice. I'll pick Vino Rosso and the reason is, he was a very good racehorse and has the pedigree. He was a very good older horse. But from what we've seen so far, they have quite a bit of maturity and look like they could be summer 2-year-olds. That's impressive for a stallion where you might think they'll be better later on. From the Vino Rossos, I am seeing athleticism and mental maturity. It's between Mitole and Vino Ross, but I'll give the edge to Vino Rosso.

Under-the-radar pick: Demarchelier (Dubawi {Ire}–Loveisallyouneed {Ire}, by Sadler's Wells). Claiborne Farm, 2023 fee: $5,000.

   My under-the-radar pick will be Demarchelier, a son of Dubawi who stands at Claiborne. He was an excellent racehorse in the making who won his first three starts before he got hurt. That reminds me of Danzig, who only had three starts and was retired. I'm not comparing him to Danzig. I'm just saying it is a similar story. He's the only son of Dubawi to stand over here and he had a lot of talent. I bred a mare to him because I thought he was a super value. Like Oscar Performance, he's going to have to step up and prove himself because he's a turf horse standing in America. They are average-sized, which he was. I have two that I really like. They are sharp and forward. I saw a couple breeze well at the March sale. I wouldn't be surprised if he comes up with four or five nice 2-year-old winners on the grass. He has the quality to do that. He has the potential to break out and have some really nice turf horses.

CARRIE BROGDEN

Top pick: Audible (Into Mischief–Blue Devil Bel, by Gilded Time). WinStar Farm, 2023 fee: $25,000.

I think that every year, the early chatter about who is good and who is going to struggle is very telling, so I have learned to listen to that. Last year in January and February, all the talk was about Bolt d'Oro. The year before in January and February, it was Gun Runner. So we bred three mares to him on his bubble year, off the early chatter. So I'm going to have to go with the horse that everyone was talking about, and that was Audible. With Bolt d'Oro, every single person you talked to had one they liked. I felt that was the case this year with Audible. At Saratoga, we sold an Audible filly to MyRacehorse named Lady Blitz, and I bought a microshare just to keep up with her. She has just gone to Todd Pletcher's barn and she is the real deal. Now, full disclosure: I have a share in Audible, but we have shares in a lot of stallions. Before the speed works and everything, that early chatter tells you who the horses are that like to train.

Under-the-radar pick: Maximus Mischief (Into Mischief–Reina Maria, by Songandaprayer). Spendthrift Farm: 2023 fee: $7,500.

Once again, I'm very biased here. We pinhooked him, raised him, sold him at Saratoga, stayed in on him with Cary Frommer, and took him to the 2-year-old sale. He was very fast. I think his horses look just like him. I'm biased, but I do feel like he's got a big shot. He throws a very different physical than Audible, who seems to throw a stouter body type. He was slightly long, and he throws a big, long horse.

JARED HUGHES

Top pick: Omaha Beach (War Front–Charming, by Seeking the Gold). Spendthrift Farm, 2023 fee: $30,000.

I've liked Omaha Beach from the start and he hasn't disappointed at any step of the way. Great physical from a tremendous female family and they've looked like runners as weanlings, yearlings, and now 2-year-olds. I'm excited to see what he can do this year.

Under-the-radar pick: Solomini (Curlin–Surf Song, by Storm Cat). McMahon of Saratoga, 2023 fee: $6,500

The under-the-radar pick is tricky this year due to a lack of depth, but I've liked the Solominis. He was a good 2-year-old who finished first in a Grade I and looks like he could be a standout in the New York market. Curlin is hot as a sire of sires right now with Good Magic waving the flag with three in the Derby.

Want to send in your first-crop sire selections? Email suefinley@thetdn.com.

In tomorrow's TDN: more first-crop sire picks (and lots of red, red wine).

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Who Will Be This Year’s Leading Freshman Sire?

From a stellar class, which freshman sire will emerge on top? And what sire currently flying under the radar will be the year's biggest surprise? With the first 2-year-old sale of the season, OBS March, now in the books, we thought it would be a good time to ask the experts:

JUSTIN CASSE
Top pick: Mendelssohn (Scat Daddy–Leslie's Lady, by Tricky Creek). 2022 fee: $35,000, Coolmore America.
“I saw some very athletic two-turn horses by Mendelssohn with size, scope, strength, and balance. They were very athletic types and they breezed fast. I didn't imagine some of them putting in as quick a breeze time as they did, but the fact that they did and are bred and built to go two turns, that would make me excited. They were attractive, athletic types that were scopey. Not all horses built like that have speed, but they showed speed. It was impressive to see what they were capable of.”

Under-the-radar pick: Cloud Computing (Maclean's Music–Quick Temper, by A.P. Indy). 2022 fee: $5,000, Spendthrift Farm
“I think they were well-balanced, solid, with good bone, good substance, size scope and strength. I vetted three or four of them, and they were typically good-moving horses, with little wasted action, and very good walkers. I think what you're seeing is that the yearling market was so strong last year that most of the pinhookers probably needed to step down their choice of the desired freshman sires. They probably couldn't afford most of the ones that everybody wanted, so you had a horse like this who was throwing quality individuals and they were falling into those pinhookers price bracket at the yearling sale. They were a pleasant surprise at the sale. These horses looked more like milers–precocious with a good walk. I'm sure there's a lot of Maclean's Music coming through there.”

DAVID INGORDO
Top Pick: Bolt d'Oro (Medaglia d'Oro-Globe Trot, by A.P. Indy). 2022 fee: $20,000, Spendthrift Farm.
“I thought Bolt d'Oro was an immensely talented horse. I saw him training in California and always got really good reports on the horse. When I saw his offspring , I thought they were nice horses and very athletic. Then I watched them develop from yearlings into two-year-olds and they all came forward really nicely. We have some going into training that we bought as yearlings that we are pretty high on. Then seeing his sales horses kind of put the exclamation point on it.”

Under-the-radar pick: Accelerate (Lookin at Lucky-Issues, by Awesome Again). 2022 fee: $15,000, Lane's End.
“Disclaimer, I was intimately involved with Accelerate. We bought him as a yearling and we broke him at the Mayberry's. We sent him to John Sadler and he stands at Lane's End. I've been watching him since his yearling year. That's how long he's been part of my life. He's never let us down and he improved from year to year. I'm very high on the ones we have in training and we bought a few more at the sales because we didn't have enough. He's never missed a mark. He's done everything right for us. These ones at the two-year-old sale are showing some speed, which he himself had. The criticism is that he didn't start running until later on. He was a May foal and we took our time with him and let him grow up. The ones with earlier foaling dates are showing precocity and speed. I've been happy with the ones we have at the farm and the ones I've seen at the sale.”

LAUREN CARLISLE
Top Pick: Mendelssohn.
“They have size, scope and the ability to run on turf or dirt.”

Under-the-radar pick: Good Samaritan (Harlan's Holiday-Pull Dancer, by Pulpit). 2022 fee: $7,500. WinStar Farm.
“The March group breezed well and had solid physicals.”

MIKE RYAN
Top Pick: Good Magic (Curlin-Glinda the Good, by Hard Spun). 2022 fee: $30,000, Hill 'n' Dale Farms.
“It's a very strong crop this year. You have the five main sires-Justify, City of Light, Mendelssohn, Good Magic and Bolt d'Oro. It's a loaded generation. Some people will say I am biased, but my pick is Good Magic. People might say he's picking him because he's his own horse. I have seen quite a few training at Stonestreet and at Niall Brennan's and some other places and I was very impressed with what I saw. They are very much like him. Great attitudes. Great demeanors. Great appetite for training and they enjoy what they are doing. They are focused and committed, a trainer's dream. He was like that himself. I like Mendelssohn quite a bit, too. It might be a flip of the coin between Mendelssohn and Good Magic.”

Under-the-radar pick: Cloud Computing.
“Niall Brennan has a couple that I have seen train and I was most impressed by them. He reminded me a little bit of Upstart from a few years ago. I didn't give Upstart a whole lot of recognition at the yearling sales. But when I saw them train as two-year-olds I was very impressed with them. I think Cloud Computing will prove to be a good value. They're well grown. They've got speed. But I don't think they'll be limited to one turn. ”

LIZ CROW
Top Pick: Bolt d'Oro.
“I have been really impressed with the Bolts overall physically. A bunch of them breezed well at OBS. They were quick and precocious.”

Under-the-radar pick: Cloud Computing.
“We had the Cloud Computing that we sold for $560,000. We bought him as a yearling and he just improved every day since we bought him. We have another one that is going to the April sale that we like as well. The ones I've been around have been really nice horses.”

JARED HUGHES
Top Pick: Good Magic.
“He was a good two-year-old and his offspring have a lot of quality to them. They are very classy. I think they will be forward enough to be around for the big fall races. I don't expect them to be early. I more expect them to start winning in the two-turns races. Like the Connect model.”

Under-the-radar pick: Accelerate.
“They have the right shape and they seem to have really good attitudes. They seem like they could be forward, even though he, as a racehorse, wasn't that forward.”

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