After four weeks of activities in the Saratoga oval, the Ortíz brothers remain in the first two places, against wind and tide. Regardless of the punishments or sign commitments outside the New York racecourse.
José Ortíz has 35 successes, while Irad closed the week with 30 visits to the winners circle, the numbers achieved by these whips are impressive, since the first is averaging more than 8 victories per week and the second obtained a ratio of 7.5; however, it was more meritorious that John Velazquez, Javier Castellano and Irad Ortiz Jr. swept the three main tests at Arlington Park, held last Saturday.
As planned, coach Chad Brown had a good harvest taking to his showcases the trophies of Beverly D and Arlington Million, won by Sistercharlie and Bricks And Mortar, the latter is now considered as the main candidate for Horse of the Year.
Only one steed of our third recommended for the Saratoga Special, managed to be among the top three places. Noose was the only one who was saved from burning with a decent second place. The palms were taken by Green Light Go and the Venezuelan Junior Alvarado putting almost 4 lengths in between his closest pursuer. The son of Hard Spun goes flying for Champagne, the last preparation race before facing BC Juvenile.
In the Best Pal, which was run in Del Mar, Flavien Prat, the leader of the riders of southern California, literally stayed like the dog of the two cakes because his decision left him out of the actions of this first test added for horses of the 2017 generation. As you will remember the Welsh rider left the Collusion Illusion and Wrecking Crew mounts, to lean on Schorindger, who was retired from the competition and Flavien had to settle for watching from the Jockey Room, as Joe Talamo and Mike Smith placed first and second, respectively, the copies he left in “seen” as the users of some social networks would say.
The favorite Fore Left, deflated in the last 100 meters and buried the bets of its thousands of followers.
Special mention should be made of Jerry Hollendorfer who won on Sunday with Danuska’s My Girl, but not before he had passed the verdict of the solons who immediately ignited the inquiry. Hopefully it is only a perception, but … it seems that the referees bring in their agenda any activity of the veteran coach.