Brown Earns First NYRA Training Title in 2015
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Photo: Anne M. Eberhardt
Chad Brown
Trainer Chad Brown, a native of Mechanicville, N.Y., earned his first year-end training title from the New York Racing Association, while jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. garnered his second consecutive riding title on the NYRA circuit.
Ortiz, 23, won 281 races in 2015 at Belmont Park, Saratoga Race Course, and Aqueduct Racetrack and amassed purse earnings of $19,159,036. He rode 12 graded stakes winners in New York, including grade I victories aboard Lady Eli in the Belmont Oaks, Slumber in the Manhattan, Cavorting in the Test, and Stephanie's Kitten in the Flower Bowl Invitational. His younger brother, Jose, was runner-up for the second straight year, finishing with 237 winners and $15,477,257 in purses. Javier Castellano was third with 174 winners and $16,623,038 in purses earned.
Brown, 37, had a banner year in New York, saddling 131 winners and the earners of $12,766,542. He enjoyed grade I victories in the Belmont Oaks with Lady Eli, the Manhattan with Slumber, the Joe Hirsch Turf Classic with Big Blue Kitten and the Flower Bowl with Stephanie's Kitten. Nationally, Brown won 203 races, including Breeders' Cup wins in the Filly & Mare Turf (gr. I) with Stephanie's Kitten and the Filly and Mare Sprint (gr. I) with Wavell Avenue. His runners earned more than $20 million.
Todd Pletcher finished second on the New York circuit with 123 winners and $12,086,440 in purses. David Jacobson was third with 89 winners and $4,677,923 in purses.
Michael Dubb's 58 winners put him atop the owner standings for the fourth time, having previously won in 2014, 2012, and 2010.