Irad Ortiz suspended three days; will be back in time for Breeders' Cup

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Irad Ortiz Jr. has been suspended three days for his role in the disqualification of his mount, Elle’s Town, from the fifth race Friday at Keeneland, but the penalty will not keep the star jockey from riding in the upcoming Breeders’ Cup at Santa Anita.

Ortiz, the 2018 Eclipse Award-winning jockey based primarily in New York, will serve his days Oct. 27, 30, and 31. The Breeders’ Cup is set for Nov. 1-2.

Unlike his younger brother Jose, Irad Ortiz has ridden here sparingly. Irad had just one mount here all of last fall; rode five days at the 2019 spring meet; and rode two days here this fall.

Elle’s Town, a 3-year-old filly trained by Mike Maker, was deemed guilty of midstretch interference in a turf-sprint allowance and was demoted from fourth to eighth for the foul.

Ortiz was the third jockey to be handed a three-day suspension for a riding infraction at this meet, with Joe Rocco Jr. and Alex Canchari also penalized for their rides in an Oct. 11 double-disqualification.

Jose Ortiz was fined $250 earlier in the meet for improper use of his whip on Time On Target in the eighth race Oct. 10.