First graded stakes win has trainer Ortiz flying high

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Less than 24 hours after enjoying the greatest day of his nascent training career, John Ortiz got a quick humbling.

“I was missing a groom when I got to the barn this morning,” said Ortiz, who notched his first graded victory Thursday when saddling Zulu Alpha to win the Grade 3 Sycamore at Keeneland.

“I wound up mucking five stalls, galloping four, and cooling out three. This game will bring you back to earth pretty quick.”

Nonetheless, Ortiz was still flying high Friday morning. On behalf of owner Michael Hui, he claimed Zulu Alpha last month at Churchill Downs for $80,000 off an easy win in which the 5-year-old gelding earned a 103 Beyer Speed Figure. Even when stretching out to 1 1/2 miles in the Sycamore, there was no “bounce” to his step, as Zulu Alpha and jockey Channing Hill rallied up the rail for a two-length triumph over favored Arklow. Zulu Alpha earned a 101 Beyer.

After growing up on the racetrack and working in various capacitites for Bill Mott, Graham Motion, Barclay Tagg, and Kellyn Gorder, it was summer 2016 when Ortiz, 31, decided he was ready to open his own stable. His father, Carlos Ortiz, had been a jockey in his native Colombia before emigrating to the United States, riding his last race at the Meadowlands in 1991 before going to work as an exercise rider for Mott. John Ortiz was a mere lad when he started hanging around the barn.

“That’s when Cigar was the big horse,” Ortiz said.

Ortiz won his first race as a trainer in December 2016 at Turfway Park before moving to Oaklawn Park for the winter. His stable has gradually expanded over the last two years, and although before Thursday he had won four stakes – all worth $50,000, all this year – the Sycamore represented a major breakthrough. He was interviewed both before and after the race on TVG, his youthful enthusiasm shining through.

“That was pretty cool,” said Ortiz, who appeared post-race with his son, Jayden, who turns 2 next month.

For Hui (pronounced “Hoy”), this was the fourth time he has made a pricey claim ($62,500 or higher) for a horse that would quickly win a stakes, the others being Taghleeb, Greengrassofyoming, and Hogy, all trained by Mike Maker. Hui, a 55-year-old semi-retired Arkansas businessman, has owned horses since 2010.

“I had been watching Zulu Alpha and really liked him, and I’m really thankful Michael went in for him,” Ortiz said.

Zulu Alpha emerged from the Sycamore in good shape, said Ortiz, and a plan for a next start will be made soon.

“I’m still taking this all in,” he said. “There are a couple of spots we’re already looking at. It’s fun to have a horse this good.”

Meanwhile, trainer Brad Cox said Friday that Arklow came out of the Sycamore in good shape and a decision will be made over the weekend as to whether the colt will run back in the Nov. 3 Breeders’ Cup Turf at Churchill Downs.