Jockey standings remain very tight

ELMONT, N.Y. – Through the first 21 days of the Belmont spring-summer meet, the race for leading rider is super tight.

Four jockeys are within one of the top spot. Manny Franco and Irad Ortiz Jr. are tied with 21 wins apiece, while Jose Ortiz and John Velazquez both have 20.

That Velazquez is in contention is quite remarkable considering that his 65 mounts are 42 fewer than Irad Ortiz Jr. and 35 fewer than Franco. Velazquez won four straight Belmont spring titles from 2001-04. Jose Ortiz has won the last two, while brother Irad tied for the 2014 meet crown with Javier Castellano.

◗ John Mazzie, who worked as a cameraman for the New York Racing Association for about 30 years before retiring a few years ago, died suddenly Monday at his Long Island home. He was 65.

Visitation was to be held Thursday at N.F. Walker Funeral Home, 2039 Merrick Ave., Merrick, N.Y., from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. A funeral mass will be held Friday at 10:15 a.m. at Sacred Heart Church, 720 Merrick Ave., North Merrick, N.Y.

◗ In Thursday’s paper, it was erroneously reported that Analyze It and Beach Patrol worked five furlongs in company in 1:04.20 on Monday. The final time should have read 1:01.20.