Kentucky-bred Brightwork remained undefeated with a sparkling victory in the $300,000 Spinaway S. (G1) at Saratoga on Sunday, Sept. 3. Owned by Bill Simon’s WSS Racing and trained by John Ortiz, Brightwork turned back post-time favorite Ways and Means in the seven-furlong sprint for juvenile fillies.

Milestone Victory

Fresh off a win in the Adirondack S. (G3), Brightwork provided her trainer with the first Grade 1 win of his training career with the Spinaway success.

“Tears, happiness, joy. I’m ecstatic and proud,” Ortiz said. “These are all the emptions I can think of right now. My family has supported me. My uncles are here, my cousins are here. Jared [Hughes, bloodstock agent] is like my older brother, Bill Simon and his family. This is such a big deal. We’re like one big, giant family and I couldn’t be more blessed right now.”

In addition to Brightwork’s graded stakes scores, the precocious daughter of WinStar stallion Outwork was a winner on debut in April at Keeneland. She followed that win with a victory in the Debutante Stakes in July at Ellis Park and then the Adirondack. The milestone Spinaway win was also the first Grade 1 as an owner for Simon.

“There are really no words to describe it,” said Simon. “I’m so proud of Johnny and what he’s done with the horse. It’s just a phenomenal feeling.”

Proving Best

Ridden by Irad Ortiz Jr., Brightwork established a forward position in fourth downs the backstretch, stalking the early leaders. She engaged the pacesetting duo four-wide on the far turn and was put to a drive in upper stretch. She fended off a stern challenge by Ways and Means in the stretch and prevailed by a half-length at the finish, stopping the timer in 1:23.17.

Bred in Kentucky by Wynnstay Inc. and H. Allen Poindexter, Brightwork lifted her lifetime earnings to $444,051. Produced from the Malibu Moon mare Clarendon Fancy, Brightwork was a $95,000 graduate of the 2021 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky Fall Mixed Sale.