Keeneland and Oaklawn Await Ortiz Brothers

By The Ortiz Brothers and Emily Shields

The most anticipated racecards of the weekend are those at Keeneland and Oaklawn Park, which is where the Ortiz brothers – Jose and Irad, Jr. – will take up temporary residence. Jose rides at Oaklawn on Saturday with six live mounts, and Irad will be at Keeneland Friday and Saturday with a combined 19 rides (including three also eligibles).

At Keeneland in the grade 1, $300,000 Maker’s 46 Mile, Irad rides #5 Qurbaan, 4-1 on the morning line. He has only raced in the United States four times to date, including a third place effort in a grade one over this course last October. Before that, Qurbaan won the Bernard Baruch Handicap (G2) at Saratoga in his United States debut.

“Last year at Saratoga he got bumped in the start,” Irad said, “and he managed to win the race. He’s a very good horse. I haven’t ridden him since then, but I know Kiaran (McLaughlin) will have Qurbaan in the best condition for this Friday.”

On Saturday, Irad has 11 mounts, including 10-1 #1 Shang in the Stonestreet Lexington (G3) and #4 Rymska (5-2) in the $350,000 Coolmore Jenny Wiley Stakes (G1). “She’s always ready to fight,” Irad said of Rymska. “Chad (Brown) does a great job with her. She (Rymska) is the kind of horse that you can ride with confidence. Every time when you ask for her best, she will give it to you.”

Irad noted that at this level, the rivals are fierce. “There will be a lot a competition this Saturday. You’ve got Rymska’s stablemates Rushing Fall in the inside and Onthemoonagain on the outside, they both have talent. It’s going to be a great race.”

Over at Oaklawn in Hot Springs, Arkansas, Jose will be aboard #7 Quip (4-1) in the $750,000 Oaklawn Handicap (G2). Quip is coming off a third-place effort in the grade 3 Hal’s Hope on February 23, which was his first start since May. Quip was second over this course in the Arkansas Derby (G1) last year.

“I rode this horse last time in the Hal’s Hope Stakes at Gulfstream Park,” Jose said. “They went pretty fast, however Quip finished in 3rd position after a long layoff. Now, with that race in him, I think we’ll be much better for this upcoming race. He has been working very well at Payson Park in Florida. I really like his chances this Saturday.”

But the big ride of the weekend is #1 Improbable, the favorite for the $1 million Arkansas Derby (G1). The previously unbeaten colt was second by a neck in the Rebel Stakes (G2) last out under a different rider; Jose has been elected to take up the mantle. The rider said, “We got the rail, but he has plenty speed. I just want to make sure to have a good break. He’ll be wearing blinkers this time so that should help. I think Improbable will bring his best. Great connections, trainer Bob Baffert, WinStar Farm, China Horse Club, Starlight Racing. I just want to thank them for this opportunity. I’ve never ride Improbable before, but I think that we are talking about a really good horse. I’m very excited.”

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