Trainer Jorge Abreu is branching out, and racing fans throughout the country should put a ring around his name because he has the pedigree to excel. When a coach, or trainer, or player learns from one of the best around, that individual has a shot to shine and that is the case here.
Trainer Jorge Abreu has worked for Chad Brown for the last 9 years. For those that have been hiding under a rock lately, Brown recently set a Saratoga win record for most victories during a 40-day season.
That recent stint with Brown is not Abreu’s only experience. Formerly an exercise rider, Abreu first got a job with trainer Murray Garren. He also worked with Billy Badgett. Before joining Brown, trainer Jorge Abreu worked for Nick Zito and was around graded stakes winners like Bellamy Road, Commentator and Sun King. In addition to that resume, Abreu also worked for trainer John Terranova, who is a 15% trainer the last 5 years, and Terranova also houses many of Bob Baffert’s horses when they ship East to run in stakes.
Abreu is a native of the Dominican Republic and he came to the United States in 1984 when he was nine years old and he has been lucky enough to work with some quality people. Chad Brown learned under the legendary Bobby Frankel, who died in 2009, and the lessons he learned from Frankel will be passed on.
Brown learned from Frankel that the care of the horses is the foremost thing around the barn. He has tried to replicate the Frankel trait of being like a coach and developing relationships with the assistants and everybody who works at the barn. When a bond like that is formed, just like a ball player will proverbially ‘run through the wall for the coach’, the responsibilities are transferred. By setting the bar high for oneself and the employees, trainers can avoid having complacent people around the stable.
Trainer Jorge Abreu has already won races.
His first starter Woodville, a New York-bred 4-year-old filly by Ghostzapper, began her career in July and she got a perfect trip. She was third early, made the lead by the time they got to the half-mile and went on to draw off to win by 11 and a half-lengths. Wheeled back the closing day of Saratoga, Woodville again showed positional speed before running her record to 2 for 2.
Woodville cost $100,000 and her future is bright. Her dam Cleverly Regal won 6 times and the dam is a sibling to a pair of 6-figure earners. Woodville has a shot to have a long and prosperous career if you key off a runner deep in her pedigree. That racer is Crafty Alfel, who won 7 stakes overall, was 28 for 99 lifetime and banked nearly $900,000.
Watch for Woodville during this Belmont Park meeting. Trainer Jorge Abreu is looking at the Grade 2 $300,000 Gallant Bloom Handicap on October 1. The Gallant Bloom last year was won by La Verdad. Abreu is also considering the $150,000 Iroquois Stakes on October 22. Last year the Iroquois was won by
Look for runners handled by trainer Jorge Abreu to take some of the traits of the Chad Brown students. Brown is a master at bringing horses back from a long layoff and expect Abreu to be adept at this style also. Brown has his with 27% of his runners in the last 5 years that were away for 180 days or more. You can bet your bottom dollar that Abreu learned that patience is key.
It may be a bit harder for Abreu to jump into this game with young horses but if he gets a chance, he has the experience via Brown. Chad has hit with 23% of his 2-year-olds in the last 5 years. Bettors will also have to pay special attention if and when Abreu switches distances.
If Abreu learned anything from Brown, he learned that conditioning is key. Brown is 34% the last 5 years with route to sprint runners and that is one area with Abreu figures to thrive at day in and day out.
Abreu has been around a lot of nice horses, a lot of nice trainers, and he’s been on the racetrack all of his life. If anybody has a shot to excel it’s this conditioner.
