Brown, Ortiz, Dubb take Spa meet titles

by Najja Thompson

 Earning his first-ever training title at Saratoga Race Course while setting the record for most wins during a meet with 40, Mechanicville, N.Y. native Chad Brown captured the H. Allen Jerkens training title, while jockey Jose Ortiz emerged atop the jockey standings with 65 winners.

Michael Dubb took top honors as leading owner.

Having finished second at the Spa to Todd Pletcher for the past five years, Brown finally turned the tables, getting off to a fast start in capturing the first pair of graded turf stakes races of the meet in the Grade 2 Lake George (Ancient Secret) and Grade 1 Diana (Dacita). Brown also earned his 1000thvictory as a trainer during the stand and won additional graded stakes with Flintshire (Grade 1 Sword Dancer, Grade 2 Bowling Green), Guapaza (Grade 3 Waya), and Camelot Kitten (Grade 2 Hall of Fame).  

"You never can imagine this level of success at Saratoga," said Brown. "With so many top horses and horseman, everyone gearing up for this but it all came together for us. We had the right group of horses that fit up here. WE had good weather, very low rate of injuries and a lot of good racing luck. All the elements you need to have a good meet."

Pletcher, who had won six straight and 12 overall training titles, ended the meet with 31 victories to finish second. Kiaran McLaughlin was third with 13 winners.

Ortiz, the leading rider at Belmont Park's spring/summer meet, went on a rapid run during the middle of the summer to annex his first Angel Cordero, Jr. riding crown. The 22-year-old had three four-win days (August 15, 18 and September 1) and a five-win day on September 3.

"It's pretty amazing," said Oritz. "To do it here at Saratoga, where the competition is so tough, I'm very lucky."

Ortiz finished 8 wins ahead of his older brother, defending Spa riding titlist Irad Ortiz, Jr., while Javier Castellano was third with 51 winners.

Owner Michael Dubb and his various partnerships won the owners title with 12 winners this summer, capturing his third straight title. Klaravich Stable and William Lawrence were second with 11 winners.