A ‘Sweet’ Debut on Tap for Ortiz Wednesday

[Wandering Eyes]

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Jose and Irad aren’t the only ones with the last name Ortiz that should be on your radar this summer at Saratoga.

Up-and-coming trainer John Ortiz (no relation) will saddle his first starter in New York when he tightens the girth on the overachieving Honey Bunny (Tapizar) in Wednesday’s GII Honorable Miss H. at the Spa.

“It feels great to come out here and represent my whole barn, my owners and my crew,” Ortiz, 33, said back at ‘Horse Haven’ on the Oklahoma backstretch on an overcast morning after getting on a handful of runners for his buddy and fellow trainer Ray Handal. “It’s a very special moment.”

Born in Colombia and raised in New York, Ortiz is the son of former rider Carlos Ortiz. It didn’t take long for the married father of two to find his way onto the backstretch.

“I always wanted to be a jockey and follow in my dad’s footsteps, but that didn’t work out. I’m too big and too hungry,” the slender Ortiz, still sporting his black safety vest, said with a laugh. “This is something that’s been in my family for a long time. I was introduced to it at a very young age.”

Just 16 at the time, Ortiz’s first job at the racetrack came for Bill Mott and he worked his way up the ladder to eventually serve as an assistant to the Hall of Famer. Stints under trainers Graham Motion and Barclay Tagg followed, and, after serving as an assistant to Kellyn Gorder, Ortiz ventured out on his own in 2016.

“I chose to follow around some top trainers and learn what I could from them-you know, do what the good guys do,” Ortiz said.

From 267 starters in 2018, Ortiz posted a record of 53-39-44 (20% winning percentage) and earnings of $1,454,894, including his first graded victory in Keeneland’s GIII Sycamore S. with Zulu Alpha (Street Cry {Ire}). He’s already saddled 28 winners from 170 starters this year, good for earnings of $1,031,590, through Monday’s action. The Louisville-based conditioner currently trains 33 head.

“Right now, we’re very comfortable at 30,” Ortiz said when asked about goals for his stable. “It gives me just enough to keep me occupied. When I was an assistant for Kellyn, we used to run about an 80-horse barn. I do expect to grow bigger, but it all depends. I want to make sure that I do it the right way. I don’t want these horses getting away from me. I’m very involved. I ride my own and I check my own every day. We have a handful of 2-year-olds that we’re very happy about, too.”

Ortiz has a pretty nice 5-year-old mare to be happy about as well. The aforementioned Honey Bunny, claimed for just $16,000 last spring, capped a five-race winning streak with a tally in Churchill’s GIII Winning Colors S. May 25. The Hooties Racing LLC, WSS Racing LLC and Brent Gasaway colorbearer finished with interest to check in a close fourth–beaten only 1 1/4 lengths–to the reopposing ‘TDN Rising Star’ Mia Mischief (Into Mischief) in the Roxelana S. beneath the Twin Spires June 22.

“Honey Bunny was very special from the beginning,” Ortiz said of the 14-time winner. “We had just finished winning a race at Oaklawn. We dropped the claim and it was a 12-way shake. We happened to win that, so that in itself was a victory. She’s a filly that has her own personality and attitude. It’s her way or the highway–and believe me, I ride her enough to know.”

Honey Bunny, drawn in post three with Joel Rosario slated to ride, will face five rivals in the Honorable Miss. She is listed at 10-1 on the morning line. A good performance Wednesday could extend her stay in upstate New York for the GI Ketel One Ballerina S. Aug. 24, a ‘Win and You’re In’ for the GI Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint.

“She’s blossomed into this beautiful mare and she knows how to win now,” Ortiz concluded. “We came here to take a shot. I think we can compete with the horses here.”

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