Brightwork (horse)

Brightwork
SireOutwork
GrandsireUncle Mo
DamClarendon Fancy
DamsireMalibu Moon
Sexfilly
FoaledMarch 17, 2021[1]
CountryUnited States
ColorBay
BreederWynnstay & H. Allen Poindexter
OwnerWSS Racing
TrainerJohn A. Ortiz
Record6: 4 - 0 - 0
Earnings$501,376[2]
Major wins
Adirondack Stakes (2023)
Spinaway Stakes (2023)
Last updated on November 4, 2023

Brightwork (foaled March 17, 2021) is a multiple graded winning American Thoroughbred racehorse. The filly won the Grade I Spinaway Stakes at Saratoga Race Course in 2023.

Background

Brightwork is bay filly who was bred in Kentucky by Wynnstay and H. Allen Poindexter. Brightwork is out of the unraced Malibu Moon mare Clarendon Fancy, who has produced two winners, including stakes-placed Quiet Company, from three starters.[3]

Brightwork sire is Outwork winner of the 2013 Grade I Wood Memorial Stakes is the sire of two Grade I winners and both of them winning the Spinaway Stakes. His daughter Leave No Trace captured last year's edition. Outwork stood the 2023 season for US$10,000 at WinStar Farm.[3]

Brightwork was purchased as a weanling at the 2021 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky November Sale for $95,000 by Barber Road Bloodstock for WSS Racing.[3]

Brightwork is trained by John Alexander Ortiz.[2]

Career

Brightwork began her career with a three-length victory in a Maiden Special Weight event at Keeneland on 26 April 2023.[4] After a break of two months, she won the Debutante Stakes, which was moved from Churchill Downs to Ellis Park Race Course. Facing three other fillies, Brightwork led all the way, defeating 1/3 favorite V V's Dream.[5]

Brightwork faced graded company for the first time on August 6, 2023, in the Grade III Adirondack Stakes at Saratoga Race Course. Sent off at 5/1, she was timed in 1:16.85 for the 6+1⁄2 furlongs for the victory. Trainer John Ortiz was emotional in winning his first graded event. "That meant so much to me," he said about being hugged by Mott after the race. "It's so emotional. I grew up in his barn and was there when I was 8-years-old."[6]

On September 3, 2023, Brightwork defeated the heavy 2/5 favorite Ways and Means in the Grade I Spinaway Stakes at Saratoga Race Course. She completed the seven furlongs in 1:23.17 on a fast track, winning by 1⁄2 a length.[3]

Statistics

Date Distance Race Grade Track Odds Field Finish Winning
Time 		Winning
(Losing)
Margin 		Jockey Ref
2023 – two-year-old season
Apr 26, 2023 4+1⁄2 furlongs Maiden Special Weight Keeneland 4.03 12 1 0:52.49 3 lengths Reylu Gutierrez [4]
Jul 2, 2023 6 furlongs Debutante Stakes Listed Ellis Park 2.28 4 1 1:09.79 1⁄2 length Luis Saez [5]
Aug 6, 2023 6+1⁄2 furlongs Adirondack Stakes III Saratoga 5.10 8 1 1:16.85 5 lengths Irad Ortiz Jr. [7]
Sep 3, 2023 7 furlongs Spinaway Stakes I Saratoga 3.00 8[a] 1 1:23.17 1⁄2 length Irad Ortiz Jr. [8]
Oct 6, 2023 1+1⁄16 miles Alcibiades Stakes I Keeneland 1.80 8 5 1:44.17 (10+1⁄4 lengths ) Irad Ortiz Jr. [9]
Nov 3, 2023 1+1⁄16 miles Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies I Santa Anita 22.40 12 6 1:44.58 (6+3⁄4 lengths ) Ricardo Santana Jr. [10]

Notes:
An (*) asterisk after the odds means Brightwork was the post-time favorite.

  1. ^ Nine horses entered the starting gate but Miz Sense was declared a non-runner as he acted-up just as the gate opened, became very unruly while thrashing around in the stall then unseated rider

Pedigree

Pedigree of Brightwork, bay filly, March 17, 2021[1]
Sire
Outwork
(2013) 		Uncle Mo
(2008) 		Indian Charlie
(1995) 		In Excess (IRE) (1987)
Soviet Sojourn (1989)
Playa Maya
(2000) 		Arch (1995)
Dixie Slippers (1995)
Nonna Mia
(2007) 		Empire Maker
(2000) 		Unbridled (1987)
Toussaud (1989)
Holy Bubbette
(2000) 		Holy Bull (1991)
Juliac (1983)
Dam
Clarendon Fancy
(2012) 		Malibu Moon
(1997) 		A.P. Indy
(1995) 		Seattle Slew (1974)
Weekend Surprise (1980)
Macoumba
(1992) 		Mr. Prospector (1970)
Maximova (FR) (1980)
Catch My Fancy
(2003) 		Yes It's True
(1996) 		Is It True (1986)
Clever Monique (1988)
Walk Away Rene
(1993) 		Gold Alert (1983)
Monique Rene (1978) (family A1)[11]

References

  1. ^ a b "Pedigree of Brightwork". Equineline. Retrieved September 5, 2023.
  2. ^ a b "Profile of Brightwork". Equibase. Retrieved November 4, 2023.
  3. ^ a b c d Angst, Frank (September 3, 2023). "Gutsy Brightwork Holds off Ways and Means in Spinaway; The win gave trainer John Ortiz his first grade 1 victory". Bloodhorse.com. Retrieved September 5, 2023.
  4. ^ a b "Chart for Maiden Special Weight April 26, 2023 at Keeneland – Race 5". equibase.com. April 26, 2023. Retrieved September 4, 2023.
  5. ^ a b "Debutante Stakes Listed – Race 3". equibase.com. July 2, 2023. Retrieved September 4, 2023.
  6. ^ Ehalt, Bob (August 6, 2023). "Brightwork Shines for Ortiz in Spa's Adirondack Filly improved to 3-for-3 with decisive win in grade 3 stakes". Bloodhorse.com. Retrieved September 5, 2023.
  7. ^ "Adirondack Stakes (Grade 3 – Race 8)". equibase.com. August 6, 2023. Retrieved September 4, 2023.
  8. ^ "Spinaway Stakes (Grade 1 - race 9)". www.equibase.com. September 3, 2023. Retrieved September 4, 2023.
  9. ^ "Darley Alcibiades Stakes Grade 1 – (Race 9)". Equibase. October 6, 2023. Retrieved October 7, 2023.
  10. ^ "NetJets Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Grade 1 – (Race 6)". Equibase. November 3, 2023. Retrieved November 4, 2023.
  11. ^ "Janus Mare Number 1 - Family A1". www.bloodlines.net. Retrieved September 4, 2023.