Spinaway winner Brightwork nearing return to the races
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SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Brightwork was among the juvenile stars of last summer at Saratoga, winning both the Grade 3 Adirondack and Grade 1 Spinaway Stakes.
Brightwork unsuccessfully tried two turns in the Alcibiades and Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies before going to the sidelines for the winter. During her time away, Brightwork had a minor chip removed from a knee. She is nearing a return to the races in the Grade 1 Test on Aug. 3, trainer John Ortiz said.
On Sunday, Brightwork worked five furlongs in 1:02.55 over Saratoga’s main track. It was her first local work after breezing six times at Keeneland beginning May 31.
Jockey Luis Saez has been working Brightwork and relayed to Ortiz “she’s right where he wants her” in her preparation for a return to the races.
“I’m happy with the way she’s traveling, the way she’s come back,” Ortiz said. “Her attitude’s the same. She’s physically and mentally more mature, she looks like a tank and powerful as ever. We ran her pretty hard last year.”
Brightwork is one of 16 horses Ortiz brought to Saratoga this summer hoping to equal or improve on his meet last year, when he won three races from seven starters. U Devil You was a debut winner at Churchill Downs on June 23 and is pointing to the Grade 2, $200,000 Saratoga Special on Aug. 10.
Among his maiden juvenile prospects are the fillies Bella Alessia and Quietside. Spankerboom, a debut winner at Churchill, finished third in the Prairie Gold Lassie Stakes and is a candidate for the Adirondack on Aug. 4.
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