Page 60 - 31 August 2012

“She was my agent at one time. She also ponied at the track for different trainers. Then, when we had kids, she stayed home with them and took care of the house, school and their sports.”
Priscilla’s stepfather, Jessie Garza, also trained horses. “He did real well with the few horses he had,” Ortiz said. In 1998, Priscilla and Gilbert took over his farm in Floresville, Texas, and they’ve been breaking and training ever since. They keep 40–60 babies at their 70-stall facility, which also has turnout pens and a track.
The training operation provides the security of a backup plan for the day sometime in the future when Ortiz decides to hang up his silks and retire.
riding HigH
For now, though, Ortiz devotes his energy to his craft. “He’s always studying the horses to make them better,” said trainer Heath Taylor of Ledbetter, Texas. “He aims for perfection. That’s part of why we’ve had such a long run of success. I wanted the best rider and the best of what I could get out of him. And at the same time, without ever saying anything, he pushed me to have the horses as perfect as they could get. He brings out the best in other people.”
And despite the boyhood indiscretion that got him a jockey card before he turned legal at age 16, Ortiz is now known for
his honesty. “He’s a person with a lot of integrity,” said VanBebber. “His word is good and matched by his ability on a horse.”
Ortiz demonstrated that ability in 2003 while riding Vals Fortune in the Laddie Futurity at Delta Downs. “When they broke out of the gate, the saddle broke, and Gilbert was able to maintain balance on the horse and still win by about two lengths,” said Taylor. “He has great balance and agility and the confidence to win the race.
“Any one of his injuries would have retired other people or retired their desire,” added Taylor, “but Gilbert’s ability to come back from them with confidence has earned a phenomenal amount of respect from me.”
That respect is shared by people throughout the racing industry and by
his family. “Gilbert has always loved horseracing,” Priscilla said. “It seems to be in his blood. He’s a hard worker, dedicated and focused, and gives 110 percent.”
That 110 percent has brought him recognition in the form of numerous lead rider titles, which Ortiz treasures, at various tracks. And now his fellow jocks have
given back to him in the form of the Sam Thompson Memorial Jockey Award.
The connections of Diamond Tres Seis gather in the winner’s circle following the Sam Houston Classic.
An elated Ortiz following his Firecracker Derby win aboard Sizzlin Cartel at Delta Downs.
58 SPEEDHORSE, August 31, 2012
Coady Photography Sandra Beck: Coady Photography