Guarana to face only four in Coaching Club American Oaks

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – On paper, it looked like a curious move when Jose Ortiz chose to ride Guarana, who had won her only career start, over Kentucky Oaks winner Serengeti Empress in the Grade 1 Acorn last month at Belmont Park.

For Ortiz, it was an easy decision. When he heard the two horses would be running in the same race, Ortiz called his agent, Jimmy Riccio Jr., and told him he wanted to stay on Guarana.

“I thought she was very talented and it was going to be a crazy move, but I wanted to ride Guarana over her,” Ortiz said. “I was a little nervous, but I’m glad it worked out.”

And how.

Guarana beat Serengeti Empress by six lengths in the Acorn. Guarana will start in Saturday’s Grade 1, $500,000 Coaching Club American Oaks at Saratoga against just four rivals. Serengeti Empress will make her next start in the Grade 1 Test on Aug. 3, and Ortiz will be back aboard her for that race, trainer Tom Amoss confirmed on Wednesday.

Guarana, a daughter of Ghostzapper trained by Chad Brown, didn’t make it to the races until April 19, when she won a 6 1/2-furlong maiden special weight race by 14 3/4 lengths at Keeneland. In the Acorn, Guarana settled three lengths off the pace before charging to the win.

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“What I like about her is she went to the lead first time out and won, and it was a sloppy track,” Ortiz said. “She came back on a dry track and sat off it, took some dirt, and looked beautiful doing it. I think she’s just very tactical. You can break and go, or if they want to go too fast, she can sit. That’s something you want to have in every good horse. You are a target. Everybody wants to beat you, and if you’re able to do that, it’s huge.”

In the CCA Oaks, Guarana will be attempting two turns and 1 1/8 miles for the first time.

“I think a mile and an eighth, she can do it,” Ortiz said. “Two turns for the first time will be the only question, but she’s working very good.”

The four entered against Guarana are Point of Honor, the winner of the Black-Eyed Susan; Champagne Anyone, the winner of the Gulfstream Oaks; Boxwood, the winner of the Ginger Brew Stakes on turf; and Off Topic, a supplemental nominee.

Ortiz will go into the Coaching Club not only confident that he’s on the best horse but confident in the way he’s riding. Ortiz went 4 for 4 at Delaware Park last Saturday, including a victory aboard Elate in the Grade 2 Delaware Handicap. He came back to Saratoga on Sunday to win two more races. He’s had seven multiple-win days since June 27.

“I’m feeling pretty good about myself,” Ortiz said.