Kentucky Derby Profile: Barber Road

John Ortiz has himself an interesting contender for Saturday's Derby in Barber Road. This Race Day colt hasn't won in his past five but hasn't finished lower than third. Is that enough for JN Campbell to consider using him on any of his tickets...?

If you are not majorly impressed with John Ortiz as a conditioner, then you have not been following his activity. He has a ton of runners that are “live,” and anytime he enters, I am poised to take a good, long look. Here is as hard-knocking a colt as you could find along the KYD148 Trail this season, and if you are a doubter, I would seriously consider revising your opinion, especially when you hear what I have to say. If you already know … then kudos …

Looking back over this son of Race Day’s form, you will find nothing but effort. Ortiz started him along the stakes “road” at, of all places, Churchill Downs in late November, and he was 2nd in that “Non-G.” The plan was to point towards the Arkansas Series, and he is one of only a few runners to make it through all 4 races … the Smarty, the SW, the Rebel, and the Arky Derby … not too shabby. He didn’t just compete in those races, he was game, each and every time.

The WSS Racing charge was 3rd in the Rebel, but ended up 2nd in all the rest. His trainer made the switch from Ricardo Santana to Rey Gutierrez before the Rebel S., but I do not think it made much of a difference. Coming back to Churchill, ready to fire once more, this one has heart, a late-running-style that is inviting, and for being a $15k KEE November Sale purchase, he has clearly outrun his auction price (earnings to-date, $650+ over 8 starts). Personally, I will be using this router on several different kinds of tickets because he is just the kind of horse that hits-the-board in the Derby. He is not only logical, but deserves respect because he has run successfully against some of the best that Oaklawn could muster. To me, going longer is the major question coming into a Classic distance race like this. Granted, Ortiz deserves credit for managing him properly, and he has big dreams … down the lane with Barber Road …

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