Irad Ortiz begins suspension

Irad Ortiz Jr., the leading rider at the Belmont spring meet, started a seven-day suspension Monday for careless riding during the running of the fifth race here May 13. The suspension was reduced from 10 days for waiving his right of appeal.

In that race, Ortiz was aboard R Y Squadron, the 6-5 favorite, who was on the lead from the outset in an optional-claiming event on turf. In deep stretch, R Y Squadron shifted in, which forced jockey Junior Alvarado to check sharply on Amazing Anne, who finished second.

After a lengthy inquiry, the stewards let the result stand because, as they wrote in their report on the inquiry and objection, “this incident did not alter the final placement.”

Though they did not change the order of finish, the stewards do have the discretion to administer discipline if they feel a jockey’s actions caused interference or intimidation.

Ortiz, who has 19 wins through the first three weeks of the meet, will be eligible to ride on Memorial Day when Belmont Park conducts six stakes restricted to New York-breds.