Pletcher holds sway again as Saratoga’s top trainer; Irad
Ortiz Jr. wins first jockey title
Todd Pletcher won his sixth straight training title at Saratoga Race Course
and 12th overall, while jockey Irad Ortiz, Jr. won his first ever title at the
Spa and Michael Dubb repeated as leading owner.
In atypical fashion, Pletcher came from off the pace to take the H. Allen
Jerkens title. He trailed Chad Brown for much of the meet before taking the lead
with three winners on Saturday and pulling away to edge Brown, 34-31.
Pletcher took four Grade 1 races during the stand, including the CCA Oaks (Curalina),
Alfred G. Vanderbilt (Rock Fall), Woodward (Liam’s Map) and Spinaway (Rachel’s
Valentina). He also added wins in the Bowling Green (G2) (Red Rifle), With
Anticipation (G2) (Azar) and Sanford (G3) (Uncle Vinny).
“It feels good for the whole team,” said Pletcher. “It was extremely stiff
competition this year. Chad Brown and his team had a phenomenal meet. We’re
blessed.”
Brown, a native of Mechanicville, New York, ended the meet 15 wins clear of
Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott in third. Christophe Clement and Rudy Rodriguez
finished in a tie for fourth to round out the top five.
Leading rider on the NYRA circuit in 2014, Ortiz dusted an elite jockey
colony at the Spa to take the Angel Cordero Jr. riding crown. The 23-year-old
got off to a quick start, caught fire in the middle of the 40-day meet, and
cruised to the finish with 57 victories, four more than Javier Castellano.
Ortiz won major stakes races in the Test (G1) and Prioress (G2) with
Cavorting, the Lake George (G2) with Mrs McDougal, and National Museum of Racing
Hall of Fame (G2) with Takeover Target.
“It’s a dream come true to win a title in Saratoga,” said Ortiz, who was
nipped, 56-55, by Castellano for top honors at the Belmont spring meet. “I’m so
happy and so thankful to everyone who supports me. All the owners and trainers,
everyone is involved in this title. We came running last (year) and just missed.
We just kept working hard and this year was the year.”
Though he failed to capture his third straight jockey title at the Spa,
Castellano had a historic meet, becoming the first rider to sweep the Travers
(G1), Whitney (G1), Woodward (G1) and Alabama (G1). His upset victory aboard
Keen Ice over Triple Crown champion American Pharoah in the Travers gave
Castellano a record five wins in the “Midsummer Derby.”
“I think I had the best meet ever in my career,” said Castellano. “I didn’t
win the title but I won all the big races. It was amazing.”
In addition to the Woodward, Castellano teamed up with Pletcher to take the
Vanderbilt (G1), and put an exclamation point on a fantastic meet with a win
aboard California shipper Ralis in the Hopeful (G1) and Ironicus, who set a
track record in the Bernard Baruch (G2), on closing day.
Dubb and his various partnerships won 12 races at the stand, two more than
Klaravich Stables in second. Patricia Generazio finished third with eight wins.
Bet Horseracing Free Online at TwinSpires.com