Outwork’s brilliant 2-year-old filly Brightwork held off the highly-regarded Ways and Means to win Sunday’s Spinaway S. (G1) at Saratoga.
Brightwork now has three stakes wins and a maiden victory on her perfect past performances and has established herself as the leading East Coast contender for the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) in November at Santa Anita Park.
Despite wins in the Adirondack S. (G3) and Debutante S. at Ellis Park, Brightwork was sent off as the second choice behind Ways and Means in the seven-furlong Spinaway. Brightwork broke well and was third while three-wide on the backstretch. She was still in the three path on the turn, yet still made her way to the front midway on the turn.
With Ways and Means to her outside turning for home, Brightwork repelled the stretch-long challenge, winning by a half-length in 1:23.17 on a fast track.
“She’s been perfect since day one,” said trainer John Ortiz, who indicated that the Breeders’ Cup is in the plans for his undefeated filly.
Brightwork has earned $444,051 in her four victories for owner WSS Racing, LLC. She was bred in Kentucky by Wynnstay, INC and H. Allen Poindexter.
With more than $2.8 million and five stakes horses to date in 2023, Outwork is in the top 10 on the Fourth-Crop sire list. Brightwork joins Leave No Trace as her sire’s Grade 1 winners.
