Brightwork in Good Spirits After Late Test Scratch

A highly anticipated day for trainer John Ortiz and his team quickly turned to disappointment Aug. 3 when the barn's star filly, grade 1 winner Brightwork , was scratched from the Test Stakes (G1) after falling in the Saratoga Race Course paddock prior to the race.

"I was a little emotional," Ortiz said. "You put in so much hard work and it all happens in a split of a second. It can be the greatest day of your life or it could be a very disappointing day."

Brightwork, who races for WSS Racing, was in the process of getting saddled Saturday when she reared up and lost her footing, falling on her side. She immediately popped back up, but state stewards were precautionary and scratched the 3-year-old daughter of Outwork  .

"The veterinarians did the right thing," Ortiz said. "You never know what else could have happened."

Luckily, Brightwork escaped from the incident mostly unscathed with just a few superficial scratches around her ankles. Ortiz reported that she ate well and was doing well Aug. 4.

"She's in good spirits," Ortiz said.

Ortiz was understandably disappointed Sunday morning as he felt his filly had a great shot to notch a second top-level victory while returning from a nine-month layoff. The race was won by Ways and Means , whom Brightwork defeated in the Spinaway (G1) at Saratoga last September.

"I was really confident. I believed in her that she was going to do really well yesterday," Ortiz said. "We schooled her the day before and she was happy, she looked like she was ready."

While trying to process the difficult moment, Ortiz was consoled by Hall of Fame rider John Velazquez, who was scheduled to be in the irons for the filly. Receiving support from one of his role models was a moment that meant a lot to the young trainer.

all class @ljlmvel consoling an upset John Ortiz as Brightwork is A Scr from the G1 Test after rearing up and falling over. She fine pictured here. pic.twitter.com/9d2hUDR9Q2

— zoecadman (@zoecadman) August 3, 2024

"I looked up to Johnny V since I was 8 years old," Ortiz said. "Johnny is just a class guy. He helped me in the paddock, he did."