Five-time Eclipse Award-winning jockey Irad Ortiz, Jr. had a mount in every race on Saturday’s 12-race card at Saratoga which is not unusual. What was unusual was his six record-tying trips to the winner’s circle including the day’s two graded stakes races. Ortiz won a total of 12 races for the week leading the panel of racing experts to vote him Jockey of the Week for July 20-26.
Ortiz began the race week at Saratoga on Thursday posting a win in Race 3 for trainer Joe Sharp, Race 5 for William Walden and Race 6 again for Joe Sharp. On Friday, Ortiz won Race 2 for two-time Eclipse Award trainer Brad Cox.
Going into Saturday’s card, Ortiz did his homework and believed he had live mounts all day.
The momentous day began with a win in Race 2 for Horacio De Paz. Ortiz followed with another trip to the winner’s circle in Race 5 for Kenny McPeek and Race 6 for Brad Cox.
Trainer Wayne Catalano gave a leg up to Ortiz aboard Built in the Alfred G. Vanderbilt (G2), for older horses. Breaking alertly from post position five in the field of 6 older horses, 6-5 favorite Built raced in second behind Damon’s Mound. Built took over at the top of the stretch drawing clear to post a 2-1/2-length win in 1:09.14 for six furlongs.
Riding for dual Hall of Fame trainer Mark Casse, Ortiz was aboard even-money favorite Counting Stars in the CCA Oaks (G1). Breaking from the rail in the field of seven, Counting Stars was sent straight
to the front.
Approaching the quarter pole, Always a Runner with brother Jose in the irons began to gain ground. Turning for home the race was on with the two fillies battling down the stretch with Counting Stars crossing the finish line first by 4-1/4-lengths in 1:48.98 for nine furlongs.
Ortiz went on to win Race 12 for Horacio De Paz to equal the Saratoga record of six wins on a single card just the third rider to do so. Hall of Famer John Velazquez won six races September 3, 2001 and fellow Hall of Famer Ramon Dominguez won six twice in 2012, July 22 and September 2.
“They’re the greatest, they are GOAT’s,” said Ortiz of sharing the record with Dominguez and Velazquez. “I can’t be more happier than what I am right now. I am so happy for all the opportunities that have been given to me. Anything would not be possible without the help I’ve been getting since Day 1. I have to appreciate the trainer and owners, and my agent (Steve Rushing), too.”
Ortiz won two races on Sunday, Race 9 for Brad Cox and Race 10 for Hall of Famer Todd Pletcher.
Ortiz will be riding all week at Saratoga including mounts in all 12 races Saturday featuring the Jim Dandy Stakes. Ortiz will be in the irons aboard Renegade for Todd Pletcher.
Other nominees for Jockey of the Week included Hector I. Berrios who won the Eddie Read (G2), Emisael Jaramillo who won the Bing Crosby (G1), Flavien Prat with two stakes wins including the Shuvee (G2) and Sheldon Russell with a win in the Honorable Miss (G2).
Statistics provided by: Equibase
Photo Credit: Joe Labozzetta/Adam Coglianese
