Ortiz's plan with Shining Copper works out in Lure
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - Chad Brown had one idea how he thought Saturday’s Lure Stakes would unfold. Jockey Jose Ortiz had another.
Brown put his faith in Ortiz and that faith was rewarded as Shining Copper scored a nose victory in a thrilling finish in the $100,000 Lure at Saratoga.
The win made Brown 7 for 7 in stakes at the meet, though that streak came to an end when Lewis Bay finished fourth in the Grade 1 Test.
Last year, Shining Copper was used as a rabbit in graded stakes for other horses owned by Ken and Sarah Ramsey, such as Big Blue Kitten. Naturally, Brown figured that Shining Copper would be on the lead in the Lure, especially breaking from the rail.
But in the paddock Ortiz said he thought Solemn Tribute might show speed and suggested to Brown that he try to sit off him.
Ortiz told Brown if Solemn Tribute is “very aggressive. I’d like to slip outside of him if you let me,’ ” Brown said. “I said ‘if the opportunity comes up in the first turn you can’ and that’s the plan he wanted to do and he executed beautifully.”
Solemn Tribute, under Luis Saez, was indeed aggressive and went into the first turn in front, running a quarter-mile in 24.30 seconds. Ortiz guided Shining Copper to the outside of Solemn Tribute and prompted that horse through a half-mile in 47.82 and six furlongs in 1:11.31.
Solemn Tribute fought back when confronted by Shining Copper until midstretch. At that point, Ectot was attempting to rally up the rail while Full Mast and Jay Gatsby were flying to Shining Copper’s outside.
In the final strides it was Shining Copper, Full Mast, and Jay Gatsby surging to the wire with Shining Copper winning the three-way photo. Jay Gatsby got second by a nose over Full Mast, who was a length in front of Ectot.
Offering Plan - also trained by Brown - Solemn Tribute, and Conquest Typhoon completed the order of finish.
Brown said the one thing he learned about Shining Copper when he used him as a rabbit last year is “he gives way grudgingly if he ever gives way.”
“If you’re ever going to have a horse on the inside fighting with good horses down to the wire he’s the horse you want, ” Brown added.
The win was the sixth in 28 starts for Shining Copper, a 6-year-old gelding by Aragorn. Shining Copper covered the 1 1-16 miles in 1:40.80 and returned $6.50 as the favorite.
Brown added the Lure to prior stakes victories in the Grade 1 Diana, Grade 2 Lake George, Grade 2 Hall of Fame, Grade 2 Bowling Green, the Curlin and Shine Again.