Bricks and Mortar solidified his credentials as a leading Horse of the Year candidate after rallying to a hard fought head victory over the 50-1 outsider United under a perfectly timed ride by Irad Ortiz Jr. in the $4 million Breeders’ Cup Turf. Anthony Van Dyck finished third.

          The win was the sixth in as many starts for Bricks and Mortar, five of them in Grade 1 events, during an amazing season that began with a 2 ½ length triumph in the inaugural Pegasus World Cup Turf in late January and which also included a popular tally this summer in the Arlington Million.

          Bricks and Mortar was rated in some traffic while racing mid-pack for over a mile of the one mile and one half Turf. He rallied stoutly down the middle of the track once settling into the stretch, ultimately wearing down United in the final strides. The latter, never far back while saving ground, forged to the lead near mid-stretch, continued willingly but could not stave off the winner at the end. It was another 1 ¼ lengths further back to Antyony Van Dyck.

          Bricks and Mortar is a 5-year-old son of Giant’s Causeway trained by Chad Brown for the partnership of Seth Klaravich and William Lawrence. He has won all seven starts since returning from a 14 month layoff to win an allowance race at Gulfstream Park in December of 2018.  Bricks and Mortar’s victory in the Breeders’ Cup Turf was his 11th in 13 career starts and swelled his earnings in 2019 to nearly $7 million.

          Bricks and Mortar paid $4.00 after completing the distance on the firm course in 2:24.73. 

 Steve Anderson will have complete details on the Breeders' Cup Turf shortly at drf.com