Bricks and Mortar stays undefeated on the year in Breeders' Cup Turf, improves Horse of the Year chances

ARCADIA, Calif. - There were four leaders in the final quarter-mile of Saturday’s Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Turf. The horse who led at the wire may be the finest runner in the country this year.

Bricks and Mortar, unbeaten in six starts, caught stretch leader United in the final sixteenth to win the 1 1/2-mile race by a head in his first start at the distance. The $4 million BC Turf was the final start for Bricks and Mortar, who is scheduled to go to stud in Japan in 2020.

He ended his career with his finest performance, and made a convincing argument for the title of 2019 Horse of the Year.

Bricks and Mortar displayed a rally in the BC Turf similar to what he had done at shorter distances since returning from injury last December after a layoff of more than 14 months.

Ridden by Irad Ortiz, Jr., Bricks and Mortar ($4) raced between horses for the first 1 1/4 miles of the BC Turf and was positioned outside of his principal rivals in the stretch, enabling him to quicken and reach the front in the final strides. He was timed in 2:24.73.

“Once he saw daylight, he showed his patented kick,” trainer Chad Brown said.
In 2019, Bricks and Mortar won five Grade 1 races and a Grade 2 stakes at six different tracks at distances ranging from 1 1/8 miles to 1 1/2 miles.

In the 12-runner BC Turf, Bricks and Mortar was in the middle of the field for the first mile. His position between runners was a worry at times for Brown, particularly during the first half-mile when the field passed in front of the stands for the first time.

“When he passed by the wire, I could see he was a bit rank in there,” Brown said. “I was quite concerned.”

Bricks and Mortar was seventh with a quarter-mile remaining, trailing temporary leader Bandua by about 2 1/2 lengths. Acclimate, who set the pace, dueled for the lead with Bandua turning into the stretch before 51-1 United rallied three-wide to take the lead.

United did not hold the lead for very long. Ortiz had moved Bricks and Mortar into a favorable position to the outside.

“When he got him clear, I knew he would get there,” Brown said.

Bricks and Mortar was timed in 2:24.73 and earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 104.

United, the only runner in the field without a stakes win, ran by far the best race of his career to finish second, 1 1/4 lengths in front 5-1 Anthony Van Dyck, the winner of the English Derby in June.

“I’m really excited,” said Richard Mandella, who trains United. “I thought I’d win there or a moment. He ran so good.”

Anthony Van Dyck closed from eighth in the final half-mile under jockey Ryan Moore. Anthony Van Dyck raced in traffic in early stretch and closed ground through the final furlong.

“He ran well,” trainer Aidan O’Brien said. “It was a little bit rough. Sometimes you get the breaks and sometimes you don’t. He ran very well.”

Zulu Alpha, the winner of three graded stakes on turf this year, finished fourth, followed by Alounak, Mount Everest, Channel Cat, Arklow, Acclimate, Bandua, Old Persian, and Channel Maker.

Ortiz was ecstatic over the win. He let out several screams of pride as he walked Bricks and Mortar and waited to guide the 5-year-old horse into the winner’s circle. It was quite an afternoon for Ortiz. He won the BC Dirt Mile with Spun to Run earlier in the day. In the race after the BC Turf, Ortiz won the $6 million BC Classic on Vino Rosso.

Bricks and Mortar ends his career with 11 wins in 13 starts and earnings of $7,085,650 for owners Klaravich Stables and William Lawrence.

This year, Bricks and Mortar won the Pegasus World Cup Invitational at Monmouth Park in January, the Grade 2 Mervin Muniz Memorial Handicap at Fair Grounds in March, the Grade 1 Old Forester Turf Classic at Churchill Downs in May, the Grade 1 Manhattan Stakes at Belmont Park in June, and the Grade 1 Arlington Million at Arlington Park in August before the BC Turf.

“It’s been an incredible year,” Lawrence said.

Through late summer and into October, Brown debated whether to start Bricks and Mortar in the BC Mile or try a new distance in the BC Turf. The BC Turf was confirmed as the goal on the weekend of Oct. 19-20.

“As a team, we made the right decision,” Brown said. “He showed up and he showed up every time.”