![]() “People don’t know how competitive we are,” Irad Ortiz said. Jose won an Eclipse in 2017 and continues to rank prominently among elite riders. If Ortiz should ever forget that, younger brother Jose, 28, is literally beside him in the jockeys’ room to remind him. But there is always room for improvement.” He also has a great sense of a race and where his horse needs to be early. “It’s not surprising, the success he has accomplished, because he’s so devoted,” Dominguez said. The need for those conversations has diminished. Ortiz used to regularly consult retired great Ramon Dominguez for advice. If he continues to improve for a few more years, it’s scary how good he will be.” But he said, “Typically, I don’t feel riders reach their peak until their early to mid-30’s. Steve Rushing, his veteran agent, struggles to pinpoint any skills that might need to be honed. I’ve been riding for 11 years now, so I feel really, really prepared. “I think I have some room for improvement, honestly,” he said. In fact, he is the first to make that argument. Since the inception of the Shoemaker Award in 2003, the late Garrett Gomez (2007-2008) and Smith (2012-2013) were the only other riders able to string together consecutive honors before Irad Jr.’s four-peat.Īnd it can be argued that Ortiz, Jr. Consider that Mike Smith’s Juvenile triumph aboard Corniche extended his Breeders’ Cup record to 27 wins – at age 56. A rematch should be a welcome sight for us all.His latest successes - with Twilight Gleaming (IRE) (Juvenile Turf), Golden Pal (Turf Sprint) and Life Is Good (Dirt Mile) - hiked his Breeders’ Cup victory total to 14. Ward tried to get this one ready to face Clement’s ace last time in the Paradise Creek $100k, but he got the best of his entry. It is pretty cool that jcokey Jamie Spencer is hanging around to ride this son of Showcasing (GB), and expect him to be in-the-mix early in the game. One other entry that I wouldn’t leave out is Wesley Ward’s former Euro sprinter, Asymmetric #7. Getting Irad Ortiz’s services is a major coup, and expect this one to make a splash. Plus, he is coming to Saratoga with a 4-race win streak. That’s quite a tab, especially considering this one’s age. His conditioner is an expert when it comes to shipping into tough spots, and this one has already competed at Arlington (now defunct), Kentucky Downs, Presque Isle, Del Mar, Turfway, Woodbine, and Churchill Downs. Nobals #4 is a gelding by Noble Mission (GB) with all sorts of potential. I am much more interested in one of Larry Rivelli’s entries (he has a pair). ![]() Tendencies early-on in a meet are always difficult to figure out for horseplayers, but that translates to opportunity. I am going to take a stand against this one, which isn’t ill-advised, especially considering that we do not exactly know how the Mellon Turf Course is playing. Rating is his game, and if Joel Rosario is anywhere close to the frontend, then he has a major chance. He doesn’t necessarily have to break well, and make-the-lead. A son of Declaration of War, the colt has 4 wins in 5 starts, which is nothing short of impressive. Having made such a statement … let’s face facts … trainer Christophe Clement has a “deserving favorite” in Big Invasion #8. It is time to go sprinting on the grass at The SPA, and we call know what that means … anything can happen. Spotlight Race of the Day: (Race 8: Turf, 5½F, Quick Call S., $175k, 3): Wagering Recommendation: $100 Bankroll, Graduated Wager WPS #1 ($10-W, $15-P, $75-S) When it comes to the turf, he is aggressive, and ready for action! The price will be right too at 8/1 or maybe even higher. She will be getting a major rider upgrade with Luis Saez, and that could prove decisive. Trainer Joe Sharp entered her on 3 occasions at Belmont, and the results were solid. Looking over her form, there is actually much-to-like. The good folks at Highlander Training Center in Texas own this mare by Blame, and even though she has won only once out of 19 tries, that doesn’t mean she cannot score in this spot. Off-the-Pace Play of the Day: (Race 7: I’m Fine #1, 8/1): I will be watching the tote closely, and with Jose Ortiz back aboard, he should be able to get the job done for his HOF conditioner. The odds should be right at 3/1 … anything above that is an overlay. Phil, who won … but that doesn’t mean he isn’t a superb runner that cannot win here. I realize he was favored against the likes of Mr. A 6-yr-old, he doesn’t have that many races to his credit, but I like this spot because he comes back to Saratoga after a quality start at Belmont in a similar OC80kn3x. Most Likely Winner: (Race 9: Fortin Hill #5, 3/1):īy Mucho Macho Man, this Indiana bred and Bill Mott trainee is all-class.
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