Ortiz Brothers Have Arsenal for the Fair Grounds

By: The Ortiz Brothers & Emily Shields

The Ortiz brothers are set to raid the Fair Grounds in Louisiana on Saturday, March 23, with exactly 20 mounts between them. There are eight stakes races on the 13-race card; Jose will appear in seven of them and brother Irad in five.

Pegasus World Cup Turf (G1) hero Bricks and Mortar returns to action in the $300,000 Muniz Memorial Handicap (G2) with Irad aboard. The pair have won two in a row since Bricks and Mortar’s return to the races off a 14-month layoff. Irad said of the 2-1 race favorite: “He’s a very nice horse, I’ve ridden him twice and both times he won. He’s a nice, cool horse who does everything you want. From the first start I rode him to the Pegasus, he improved big time. He won easily the first time but really, after being off a long time, wasn’t totally ready and still won. In the Pegasus he was ready and showed me what he can do.” Bricks and Mortar is trained by Chad Brown.

Irad will face brother Jose, who is aboard #8 Inspector Lynley for Shug McGaughey. “He’s really nice and getting better and better,” Jose said. “The race is very tough. You have Bricks and Mortar, who won the Pegasus World Cup Turf, Synchrony—very tough horses. I don’t doubt my horse can win the race, I believe he can and hopefully he runs a big race.”

The big dance on the card is the $1 million Louisiana Derby (G2) over 1 1/8 miles. The Ortiz Brothers will both be riding for Winchell Thoroughbreds and trainer Steve Asmussen with #3 Limonite (Jose) and #9 Bankit (Irad). About riding Limonite for the first time, Jose said, “I’ve watched his replays several times; early in the race he’s going to be far back. That’s how he likes to run – hopefully it (the race) sets up for us.”

The last two Kentucky Derby prep races in Louisiana have gone to War of Will, the Louisiana Derby favorite. That runner likes to show speed, whereas Limonite closes from off the pace. “We could have a situation with no pace,” Jose said. “Tyler’s has a good horse (War of Will) with tactical speed. He likes the track and he’s won three straight. He’s going to be tough.”

Jose added about riding for Asmussen, “Steve Asmussen is one of the best (trainers).  He’s a Hall of Famer.  I’ve been very fortunate that he’s given me several opportunities the last couple of years.  t’s great to ride for him in these types of races.”

Irad’s mount Bankit was with in the Southwest Stakes (G3) last out at Oaklawn Park with the same rider aboard. “I haven’t been on him in a while… I don’t think the 9 post will be a real problem because he’s the kind of horse that doesn’t have to show speed early. I let him settle, relax and come running. Everything (in the Louisiana Derby) will depend on how the race goes. If he can sit closer, it might be better—but only if he can do it easily so that he gives you the same kick.  I don’t want to rush him too much, to knock him out of a comfortable pace. So, let’s see how he breaks and go from there. Steve does a great job, I know he’s a great trainer and will ride with a lot of confidence.”

Jose also has mounts on Copper Bullet, the 4-1 second choice in the $400,000 New Orleans Handicap (G2), and Shang in the $75,000 Crescent City Derby. The latter is unbeaten in two starts this season. “I like to travel, to visit different places, and ride on different surfaces,” Jose said. “It’s a challenge (to ride at different tracks) and I like challenges.”

Irad will be doing his homework. “I’ll watch the races, watch the local riders and see how people ride there—what it takes to win.  I’ll handicap the races I ride in and then go from there.  It helps that I’ll get to ride in some earlier races before the Louisiana Derby.”