Authors: The Ortiz Brothers, Emily Shields
With Jose Ortiz in Dubai for the Dubai World Cup card at Meydan on Saturday, brother Irad will stay behind in Florida at Gulfstream Park. In his brother’s absence, Irad has picked up 14 mounts from 14 races at Gulfstream, where he leads the jockey standings by one win over Luis Saez.
With a mount in each of the seven stakes races at Gulfstream Park, Irad is poised for a huge day. He rides Bourbon War in the Florida Derby (G1), which is the state’s final prep for the Kentucky Derby and is worth 100 points to the winner. Bourbon War was second in the Fountain of Youth (G2) to Code of Honor last out, defeating Hidden Scroll who will be well regarded on Saturday.
“Bourbon War is getting better in every start,” Irad said. “We were a little unlucky in the Fountain of Youth. The race was run ending at the first finish line at Gulfstream Park, the winner was closing really fast and the wire caught us by surprise. Now (the race) is a mile and an eighth. We have the same post position. I like our chances in this race.”
But that’s not the only major event on the day. The Pan American Stakes (G2T) has drawn a field of nine, with Irad on #1 Focus Group for Chad Brown. “He’s coming from a long layoff, but he’s been training well during the winter at Palm Meadows,” Irad said.
He will ride California shipper #4 Quebec in the Sand Spring Stakes. “West Coast invader,” Irad said. “She ran great in the G3 Robert J. Frankel Stakes at Santa Anita back in December. If she’s able to repeat that performance, she’ll be tough this Saturday.”
The $250,000 Gulfstream Park Oaks (G2) is the other highlight on the card. Irad rides #6 Dunbar Road (8-5) in the 1 1/16 mile race. “High expectations on this filly,” Irad said. “Especially after her debut, when she won by eight plus lengths beating a solid field. My brother Jose, who rode Dunbar Road on that opportunity, was impressed. We got a good post position #6 this Saturday. Hope we can bring this one home.”
Because of the time difference, Jose will be done riding on the day just as Irad gets started. Jose has four mounts at Meydan, including Yoshida (Jpn) in the $12 million Dubai World Cup. Yoshida is best known as being a rare dirt and turf grade 1 winner. “I saw him this morning and he can’t look any better,” Jose said. “He seems to be enjoying everything about this track. Great job by the Bill Mott team. We are looking for a clean break and for a good position on the first turn, then to let him relax on the backstretch. He’s very professional. I’m very excited.”
Jose’s other three mounts are Coal Front in the Godolphin Mile, Imperial Hint in the Golden Shaheen, and Plus Que Parfait in the UAE Derby. Jose was aboard for the latter’s gallop over the course this morning. “He felt really good today. I think he fits really well in this spot and has a good chance.”
After the scratch of probable favorite Roy H, Imperial Hint’s chances have had an even greater boost. “He had a great gallop yesterday,” Jose said. “After Roy H scratched it favors everybody else.”
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