Aqueduct
Irad Ortiz Jr. serving five-day ban
OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. started a five-day suspension on Thursday for a careless-riding infraction dating back to Oct. 14 at Belmont Park. Ortiz is suspended for this four-day race week as well as next Thursday.
Ortiz was cited for his ride aboard Bareeqa, who finished second in the sixth race Oct. 14 at Belmont. Turning for home, Bareeqa came off the rail and cut off Fly Ash, who finished last.
Somewhat surprisingly, there was neither a stewards’ inquiry nor a jockey’s objection in the race.
Through the first 14 days of Aqueduct’s inner-track meet, Ortiz is the leading rider with 20 wins from 80 mounts.