Málaga's La Malagueta bullring hosted the Picassiana Corrida on Saturday in mourning for Ricardo Ortiz, a corralero and former bullfighter killed the previous day by a goring. Saúl Jiménez Fortes delivered the afternoon's most notable bullfighting, penalized by the sword, amid lackluster bulls from Puerto de San Lorenzo and El Pilar. The venue was sold out with 'no hay billetes'.
The Picassiana Corrida, kicking off La Malagueta's 150th anniversary events, opened with a silent paseíllo, a trumpet prayer call, flags at half-mast, and black crepes on plaza workers' arms. This honored Ricardo Ortiz, who at nearly 52 died Friday from a goring while handling the announced bulls as corralero. Saúl Jiménez Fortes dedicated his first bull to Ortiz and his family.
Fortes showed resolve against his first tall, ground-shy El Pilar bull, earning an ovation for a lying-back full thrust. With the fourth from Puerto de San Lorenzo, he executed solid Ordóñez-like naturales, but a jab and half-thrust after warning yielded only a lap around the ring.
Juan Ortega slipped while cape-working his first with no serious injury, getting an ovation for a solid thrust. His fifth started mobile but turned violent, featuring a delantales quite, though sword failure brought silence.
Pablo Aguado shone with templated verónicas to the third, but the faena waned due to poor charges; silence after warning and applause for the bland sixth. The bulls—four Puerto de San Lorenzo, two El Pilar—were faulted for being caste-less and classless. José María Garzón waved his final 'no hay billetes' in his Málaga management.
