SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. was selected the winner of the Mike Venezia Award, which honors the rider who displays the exemplary sportsmanship and citizenship that personified Venezia, who died from injuries suffered in a spill at Belmont Park in 1988. Ortiz, 33, was chosen by a committee comprised of members of the Venezia family, representatives of The Jockeys’ Guild, and retired Eclipse Award-winning jockey Richard Migliore. “Joining the list of winners of the Venezia Memorial Award is a great honor and very humbling,” said Ortiz, a five-time Eclipse Award winning rider. “I look forward to thanking the Venezia family here at Saratoga and sharing this with my family.” Ortiz will be presented with the Venezia Award during a ceremony at Saratoga on Aug. 22. :: Get exclusive Saratoga Clocker Reports from Mike Welsch and the Clocker Team. Available every race day.