Saratoga Treasure, Ortiz sharp in Belmont turf score

Jose Ortiz proved yesterday why he’s become one of the country’s leading riders as he guided Saratoga Treasure to victory in a $66,000 allowance race at six furlongs on the grass at Belmont Park. The 3-year-old daughter of Treasure Beach was off near the rear of the 12-filly field, and remained in 10th place down the backstretch. When several of her rivals went wide turning into the stretch, Ortiz swung Saratoga Treasure to the inside, drove her between horses, and she ate up her 8-length deficit, getting up by a neck in the final strides.

The New York-bred filly collected a check for $38,115 for owner/breeder Patricia Generazio, boosting her total to $109,385, as she became her sire’s fourth $100,000-plus earner. Saratoga Treasure’s progeny earnings for 2018 jumped to $980,347.

In Argentina, Mirta finished third yesterday in the Gr. I Gran Premio Seleccion at Hipodromo Argentino De Palermo. The 2-year-old filly had broken her maiden at San Isidro in March.