Irad Ortiz Jr. named on Thursday mounts, but hip is still sore

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Irad Ortiz Jr. is scheduled to resume riding here Thursday after recuperating from injuries suffered in a spill last week. But his agent, Steve Rushing, said that Ortiz’s return could be a game-time decision and is likely to be determined on a day-to-day basis as the week progresses.

Ortiz is named on five horses Thursday. He is scheduled to be at Turfway Park on Saturday to handle a full slate of mounts that includes Fulleffort for Cox in the Jeff Ruby Steaks.

“His hip is still very sore and swollen,” Rushing said Monday. “Irad has been doing everything he can to be able to get back, but it’s hard at this point to predict what day that might be. Although I know him, and if he possibly can, he’ll be back out there on Thursday.”

Sunday will mark Ortiz’s final day at Gulfstream Park during the Championship meet. He will ride at Oaklawn Park the following Thursday through Saturday and at Tampa on Sunday, March 29. The schedule means he will give up the call on Commandment in the Florida Derby to ride Renegade for Pletcher that same afternoon in the Arkansas Derby.

:: Get Gulfstream Park Clocker Reports from Mike Welsch and the Clocker Team. Available every race day.