Irad Ortiz returning to saddle just in time for final Breeders' Cup push

ELMONT, N.Y. – After missing three weeks of riding due to suspensions and a case of COVID-19, two-time Eclipse Award-winning jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. is looking forward to getting back to work this week at Belmont Park.

Ortiz is named to ride in eight of the 10 races Thursday at Belmont, marking his first mounts since Sept. 16, when he rode at Kentucky Downs. Ortiz served two five-day suspensions encompassing the first 10 days of the Belmont fall meet for careless riding infractions incurred earlier this summer.

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Ortiz was eligible to return Sunday, but on Sept. 28 he tested positive for COVID-19, something that caught him by surprise.

“Honestly, I didn’t have any symptoms,” Ortiz said Monday by phone from Saratoga where he has been since mid-September. “I stayed all the time with my family. When I tested positive, that surprised me a lot.”

Due to the COVID situation, Ortiz had to self-isolate for 10 days. That time period expires Wednesday. Ortiz must then obtain a certificate from the Saratoga County Department of Health in order to ride. As of Monday, it was unclear whether he would receive that certificate on Wednesday or Thursday. If it’s Thursday, Ortiz will have to get it early and then drive to Belmont.

Ortiz said he’s champing at the bit to get back.

“Man, it’s been a long time,” he said. “I love riding, I can’t wait to get back. I just want to go back and do what I like.”

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Though Ortiz missed some major races last weekend, he will have plenty of action this weekend, the last major weekend of important races leading to the Nov. 6-7 Breeders’ Cup at Keeneland.

On Saturday, Ortiz is scheduled to ride Happy Saver in the Grade 1 Jockey Club Gold Cup, Reinvestment Risk in the Grade 1 Champagne, Nay Lady Nay in the Grade 1 Flower Bowl, and maybe Forest Caraway in the Grade 1 Frizette if she ships from California. Ortiz also will ride a horse for Chad Brown in the Grade 2 Sands Point.

Despite missing three weeks, Ortiz still leads all riders in races won (234) and purse money won ($14,781,454) through Sunday.