HOT SPRINGS, Ark.–When 'TDN Rising Star' and GI Kentucky Oaks hopeful Quietside (Malibu Moon) jettisons like an escape pod from the Oaklawn Park gate in the GIII Fantasy Stakes on Saturday, the conflict between the light and the dark inside of John A. Ortiz will be at peace. It's the way of the trainer.
In the sport of Thoroughbred racing, all conditioners develop coping mechanisms when it comes to managing raw emotion before the bell sounds, but Ortiz and his stable chooses to draw insight from 'A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away …'
He Says 'Patience'
“I'm a big believer that all of us have to seek and find a balance in our lives,” said Ortiz, outside the Davona Dale barn at Oaklawn. “For me the Star Wars Universe is an escape and there are lessons there that I can always identify with no matter what's going on. I am willing to admit that I feel the Force.”
Pod Racing: Quietside works with Ramon Vasquez at Oaklawn on Sunday | Coady Media
Most would agree that developing a young horse to race takes patience, and requires a mental discipline that is first and foremost rooted in belief. Being a self-described student of the story created by George Lucas has made Ortiz more introspective. In ways that cannot always be explained–like an energy field created by all living things–Star Wars has penetrated his existence. He says that when it comes to relationships in his own family and with the horses, he has uncovered something truly special, a life of significance.
“There's no question in my mind that I identify with [George] Lucas's Skywalker story,” said Ortiz. “I especially understand how Anakin Skywalker becomes [Darth] Vader. This is a good dude with strong skills as a general during the Clone Wars and he's the guy who burns down the entire Jedi Order. That's a clear warning to me about how patience can fail you when you let power and desire get the best of you. These are universal truths.”
For Over a Thousand Generations …
As a kid growing up around the racetrack in New York, Ortiz loved the original trilogy, the Episode 1-3 prequels that began in the late 90s and he has always had a special affinity for Wookies and unsung droids. His own kids are now taking their turn at lore learning on Disney Plus.
However, it wasn't always like that for the trainer. It was his brother Daniel Ortiz and his love of the television series “The Clone Wars” on the Cartoon Network that sparked John's renewal as a devotee–no Jedi mind tricks here.
CT2599: Daniel Ortiz with his 'Captain Rex' tattoo | JN Campbell
“Daniel was like eight and I thought at first that it was kind of silly kid stuff,” Ortiz said. “But then I started watching reruns with him as he got older and we really bonded over the themes. There were serious storylines about leadership and morality, plus who doesn't want to watch a lightsaber duel?”
Around the Ortiz barn at Oaklawn, John's kid brother is now all grown and is an active member of his older sibling's staff. A budding horseman, Daniel has come to handle more of the workload and is an integral member of the team. His nickname is 'Captain Rex' because in the television series the character is a clone who embodies the soul of dependability.
“My brother has sent me everywhere from Saratoga to California,” said Daniel. “It's really gratifying to see this stable grow and with Quietside's development these past six months we have enjoyed how the hard work has paid off. We are a young bunch and we rely on one other, just like the clones always did to fight the good fight. Every time we send a horse up to the track, we do the same.”
Daniel's affinity for the clone-style of brotherhood can be seen on his left arm, which has a giant image of Captain Rex tattooed on it. As a nod to his birthday, he's CT-2599 and probably would have been a strong candidate for the 501st Legion.
“As you can tell, Rex is my guy,” said Daniel. “It just goes to prove that things from your childhood can serve a greater purpose and can influence your life for the good. It's a reminder like my brother says that this isn't the John Ortiz Racing Stable–it's Ortiz Racing Stables.”
Mind you, when either Ortiz is talking about Star Wars, it's not as a replacement for religion. You can find John after he saddles one of his runners in the paddock regularly making the Sign of the Cross and saying a prayer for a safe trip. The world of lightsabers and lightspeed tracking is more about identity and camaraderie than faith.
Padawan Found
Speaking of the racing team's persona, an important cog in their training circle is Sandra Washington. As an assistant to the trainer, she is the youthful Padawan (a younger Jedi in-training) and is known as 'Snips,' which is a reference to Anakin's protege Ahsoka Tano.
“She's ready for the trials that will be coming soon,” said John Ortiz.
Kessel Run: Quietside gallops with Daniel Ortiz up | Coady Media
As a learner, Washington has soaked up information with the intent of becoming a master someday.
“This is a big family and we support each other no matter what,” Washington said. “I have always wanted to be a part of something where anyone is willing to do whatever it takes for the horses. That's what we all love doing.”
Imparting knowledge to the next generation means everything to John Ortiz, who says that is a major part of his program.
“In training, when you take your time, whether it's with people or horses, you will find things to be way more gratifying at the end of the day,” said Ortiz. “I always say, we are never just trying to make a race. What we are about is trying to make a racehorse. People are no different.”
'Do or Do Not, There Is No Try'
A major theme in “Star Wars” has always been generational development and so is learning to face your fears. Anakin, Ahsoka, Kanan, Luke, Ezra and Rey were all asked to 'do or do not' when it came to trying something new. For Ortiz, he says the same Yoda-like teachings are ever-present around his shedrow and that is why the saga is useful when it comes to finding the right fit for each person and each horse.
'We Meet Again At Last'–Karla Ortiz and her Vader tattoo, with actor Hayden Christensen | courtesy of Karla Ortiz
“I want to bring out the best in everyone here,” Ortiz said. “My sister Karla [Ortiz] handles all of our social media and production when it comes to videos, which is brilliant stuff. She's an even bigger Star Wars fan than any of us. She met Ewan McGregor and Hayden Christensen last year. Karla keeps us informed about the latest news in both universes. We found the perfect fit for her.”
Jedi That Was, Jedi To Be
As far as equine athletes go, there are numerous examples of how something works and doesn't in certain situations. The development of two Thoroughbreds around Ortiz's barn is instructive.
'Rising Star' Quietside, who finally cracked the graded stakes ranks when she scored in the GIII Honeybee Stakes in Hot Springs last month, currently sits near the top of the Kentucky Oaks leaderboard. After her final drill last Sunday, the Shortleaf homebred is ready to contest the Fantasy, but her targeting computer is honed in on the Oaks.
John Ortiz has said even before the filly broke her maiden on debut at Saratoga that she was a major talent.
“She just needed time and the opportunity to grow,” he said. “She's developed muscle and we knew she was headed in the right direction coming into the Honeybee. She's like a Padawan who learns what she needs to do. We were patient with her and she is showing us that the sky's the limit.”
According to the trainer, when a Thoroughbred's racing career comes to an end it is always time to game plan for the next phase and as he jokes, “May the Horse be with you.”
Landspeeder: Former Ortiz racehorse Barber Road (right), now John's stable pony | JN Campbell
One of the stable's most accomplished runners to-date is GISP Barber Road (Race Day), who John Ortiz can be found riding when his string hits the course for workouts. Like a hovering landspeeder awaiting a pilot, the 6-year-old is always ready for a trip.
“Barber Road has made the transition from being a racehorse into ponying, but you can tell when he's approaching the track that he still thinks of himself as a racehorse,” he said. “There's a lesson in that for all of us about transitions and accepting new roles as we move through life.”
Seeking solace and insight in the “Star Wars” Universe continues to be a youthful gift worth unwrapping for Ortiz and company. It's kept them grounded. The light shines at times and the dark creeps in, but it's the strong foundational relationships around family and the horse which remain constant.
In true “Star Wars” fashion, from a certain point of view Quietside's Oaks trials will come to an end in the Fantasy on Saturday. However, with John Williams's “Imperial March” playing in the background for Ortiz Racing, the way of the trainer is a saga that continues.
The post Way Of The Trainer: The Ortiz Saga Feels The Force appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.
