Big week vaults Irad Ortiz to top spot in rider standings

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Irad Ortiz Jr. has been swaying bettors in a manner that no jockey has done for many years at Gulfstream Park. With the leading rider from the 2017-18 championship meet, Luis Saez, on suspension for 10 days for two riding infractions, Ortiz has zoomed to the top of the jockey standings with a remarkable tear in recent days.

Ortiz, the reigning Eclipse Award champion for outstanding jockey, won six races here Monday, giving him 22 winners in a span of just six racing days and a 93-84 lead over Saez. What’s revealing, however, is that none of his Monday winners was higher than 2-1 odds, and four of them were favored.

Ortiz, 26, credited his agent, Steve Rushing, for getting him such choice mounts.

“My agent does a great job, and the owners and trainers, they give me the opportunity,” he said. “I’m happy, I’m blessed.”

The Gulfstream record for most wins on a card, seven, is shared by Jerry Bailey, Tyler Gaffalione, and Saez (twice).