Brightwork Shines for Ortiz in Spa’s Adirondack

Trophies, accolades, and black type certainly have their value in Thoroughbred racing, but sometimes it’s a heart-felt hug that can mean the world to someone.

For trainer John Ortiz the cherished moment of his 2-year-old filly Brightwork  winning the $200,000 Adirondack Stakes (G3) for his first stakes race at Saratoga Race Course will always include the embrace he received from Bill Mott, the Hall of Fame trainer Ortiz calls his “Barn Dad.”

BRIGHTWORK, a 2YO by @WinStarFarm stallion Outwork, goes undefeated in 3 starts with a win in the Grade 3 Adirondack Stakes! Jockey @iradortiz was aboard for trainer @johnnyortiz24! #Saratoga pic.twitter.com/wiXvPC34mT

— NYRA (🎪) (@TheNYRA) August 6, 2023

“That meant so much to me,” Ortiz said about being hugged by Mott after the race for 2-year-old fillies. “It’s so emotional. I grew up in his barn and was there when I was 8-years-old.”

Ortiz grew up a short distance from Belmont Park in Elmont, N.Y., while his father was an exercise rider for Mott. Ortiz’s first job at the racetrack was for Mott and now, after taking out his trainer’s license in 2016, he can add grade 3 honors at Saratoga to a resume that includes three other grade 3 wins and approximately 310 career victories.

“It was a tear-jerker. I saw her swing wide and I knew we had it in the bag,” Ortiz said. “As I watched, I stayed cool and calm until she crossed the finish line. Then when I brought my binoculars down, I felt a tear coming down. Thankfully I was embraced by so many people I quickly forgot about the tears.”

For the Midwest-based Ortiz, it was his second win in three starts at the meet with a third to boot, and he’s well aware of how important success at a showcase for racing’s best such as the Spa can be for his career.

“It’s important to be in Saratoga period,” he said. “It’s important to have a string here and be seen.”

Owned by WSS Racing, the juvenile daughter of Outwork   pushed her record to a perfect 3-for-3 with her decisive five-length victory over Here U Come Again  in the 6 1/2-furlong Adirondack. Previously she captured the Debutante Stakes at Ellis Park and a Keeneland maiden special weight race.

“She’s special,” Ortiz said about his filly, who will likely resurface in the Sept. 3 Spinaway Stakes (G1) at seven furlongs. “She blows me away every time. She comes out of each race with so much class. I have a joke with my dad that we put Ocala power into our horses. Now we got Ocala class.”

Clearsky Farms’ homebred Here U Come Again, the slight 5-2 favorite, set the pace in the Adirondack, leading through a half-mile in :45.33 while Irad Ortiz Jr. kept Brightwirk in fourth after she bobbled at the break. Turning for home OXO Equine’s Streaming Now  moved up to challenge the Brad Cox-trained filly, but Ortiz swung outside them and powered past in the stretch.

Sent off at 5-1 odds, Brightwork ($12.20) was timed in 1:16.85 for the 6 1/2 furlongs.

“Thank God he allowed me to be OK and ride in this race,” said Ortiz, who came away uninjured after he was involved in a fourth race spill when his mount suffered a catastrophic injury. “To be able to ride a filly like this is special. She was ready. John told me to ride her confidently.”

Here U Come Again, a daughter of Liam’s Map  , was second by 3 3/4 lengths over Streaming Now, an Into Mischief   filly trained by Paulo Lobo.

Becky’s Joker , the Schuylerville Stakes (G3) winner in her career debut and 5-2 second choice, was seventh in the field of eight.

Bred in Kentucky by Wynnstay and H. Allen Poindexter out of the Malibu Moon mare Clarendon Fancy, she is the third of five foals from her dam and a half sister to the stakes-placed Quiet Company . Clarendon Fancy also has a yearling Volatile   filly and a 2023 Yaupon   filly.