Giant’s Causeway’s Bricks and Mortar Reigns Supreme in BC Turf

[Wandering Eyes]

BRICKS AND MORTAR (h, 5, Giant’s Causeway–Beyond the Waves, by Ocean Crest) put the exclamation point on a perfect 2019 campaign with a gutsy score in the GI Longines Breeders’ Cup Turf in his first try over 12 furlongs. The even-money favorite tracked from fourth while sandwiched in tight between horses as longshot Acclimate (Acclamation) and Bandua (The Factor) dictated terms through splits of :24.81, :48.44, 1:13.26 and 1:37.91. Swung out five wide by Irad Ortiz, Jr. when finally given some room, Bricks and Mortar unleashed his trademark powerful late turn of foot, gobbling up ground to take on new leader United (Giant’s Causeway). That 50-1 shot gave it his best to run with the titan of the turf, but Bricks and Mortar proved far too classy, edging clear of the determined United for a narrow success in 2:24.73. G1 Epsom Derby winner Anthony Van Dyck (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) completed the trifecta. It was the first win in this event for trainer Chad Brown and his third win of Breeders’ Cup weekend following Structor (Palace Malice) in the Juvenile Turf and Uni (GB) (More Then Ready) in the Mile. It was also the third win of the weekend for Ortiz, who took the Juvenile Turf Sprint with Four Wheel Drive (American Pharoah) and the Dirt Mile with Spun to Run (Hard Spun). Bricks and Mortar is scheduled to take up stud duties in Japan.

Returning off a 14-month layoff, during a which he had surgery, Bricks and Mortar won a Gulfstream optional claimer Dec. 22 of last year and was immediately stepped up to the big leagues, which he proved he deserved with a win in the inaugural GI Pegasus World Cup Turf S. in January. That win proved to be just the beginning as he followed with victories in the GII Mervin Muniz H., GI Woodford Reserve Turf Classic, GI Manhattan S. and GI Arlington Million last out Aug. 10. Lifetime Record: 13-11-0-2.

O-Klaravich Stable & William Lawrence; B-George Strawbridge, Jr.. T-Chad Brown.

 

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