Sully's Dream back to turf for New Orleans Ladies

Sully’s Dream gave the up-and-coming trainer John A. Ortiz a significant milestone during the Sam Houston meet that closes Saturday.

“She was my first stakes winner,” said Ortiz, 32.

Sully’s Dream won the $50,000 Houston Distaff in January. Ortiz said she is headed to the $50,000 New Orleans Ladies on the Louisiana Derby program March 24 at Fair Grounds.

Ortiz, who spent five years as an assistant to trainer Kellyn Gorder, went out on his own in November 2016. He has a 19-horse stable based at Oaklawn and this spring will head to Kentucky, where he will race at Keeneland and Churchill Downs.

“We’re working to get up to at least 30 head,” said Ortiz. “The goal is to have 40 horses.”

Sully’s Dream led wire to wire in winning the Houston Distaff at 1 1/16 miles on a turf course rated “good,” and earned one of the best Beyer Speed Figures of her career, an 86. Most recently, she finished fourth in the Bayakoa last month at Oaklawn. Sully’s Dream will be moving back to turf for the New Orleans Ladies.

“We gave her a shot in the Grade 3, in the Bayakoa,” said Ortiz. “We were trying to look for a little bit of that graded black type, and since she ran so well at Churchill in the slop, that’s why we tried. We saw there was going to be a lot of rain that weekend, so we gave her a shot there. She ran really well. She had a little traffic coming around the turn. Now, we’ll send her back to turf.”

Ortiz said Sully’s Dream would have one more breeze before the New Orleans Ladies. The daughter of Colonel John races for Ralph Ebert, Patrick Waresk, and Michael Waresk.

◗ End Zone Athletics entered Wednesday’s card at Sam Houston leading the owners’ standings with 13 wins, two more than second-leading owner Steve Asmussen. Asmussen leads all trainers at Sam Houston with 32 wins, while Lindey Wade leads all riders with 46 wins. The meet closes Saturday.

◗ There are three allowances on Friday night’s card at Sam Houston.