Brightwork (horse)

Brightwork (foaled March 17, 2021) is a multiple graded winning American Thoroughbred racehorse. The filly won the Grade I Spinaway Stakes at Saratoga Race Course in 2023.

Background
Brightwork is bay filly who was bred in Kentucky by Wynnstay and H. Allen Poindexter. Brightwork is out of the unraced Malibu Moon mare Clarendon Fancy, who has produced two winners, including stakes-placed Quiet Company, from three starters.

Brightwork sire is Outwork winner of the 2013 Grade I Wood Memorial Stakes is the sire of two Grade I winners and both of them winning the Spinaway Stakes. His daughter Leave No Trace captured last year's edition. Outwork stood the 2023 season for US$10,000 at WinStar Farm.

Brightwork was purchased as a weanling at the 2021 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky November Sale for $95,000 by Barber Road Bloodstock for WSS Racing.

Brightwork is trained by John Alexander Ortiz.

Career
Brightwork began her career with a three-length victory in a Maiden Special Weight event at Keeneland on 26 April 2023. After a break of two months, she won the Debutante Stakes, which was moved from Churchill Downs to Ellis Park Race Course. Facing three other fillies, Brightwork led all the way, defeating 1/3 favorite V V's Dream.

Brightwork faced graded company for the first time on August 6, 2023, in the Grade III Adirondack Stakes at Saratoga Race Course. Sent off at 5/1, she was timed in 1:16.85 for the $6 1/2$ furlongs for the victory. Trainer John Ortiz was emotional in winning his first graded event. "That meant so much to me," he said about being hugged by Mott after the race. "It's so emotional. I grew up in his barn and was there when I was 8-years-old."

On September 3, 2023, Brightwork defeated the heavy 2/5 favorite Ways and Means in the Grade I Spinaway Stakes at Saratoga Race Course. She completed the seven furlongs in 1:23.17 on a fast track, winning by $1/2$ a length.

Statistics
Notes: An (*) asterisk after the odds means Brightwork was the post-time favorite.