Ortiz brothers will stay at Saratoga for rest of meet

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Both Irad Ortiz Jr. and his brother Jose Ortiz will not be heading to Churchill Downs for Kentucky Derby week, according to their agents, electing to stay at Saratoga through the conclusion of the meet on Sept. 7.

Jose Ortiz did not have a Kentucky Derby mount, while Irad Ortiz Jr. has ridden Derby probable Dr Post in two of his three most recent starts.

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The Ortiz brothers entered Friday’s card at Saratoga tied atop the rider standings with 33 wins apiece and were likely to have ample business through the end of the meet.

On Friday, Churchill Downs finalized its protocols for Derby week, requiring jockeys to be in Kentucky by 11 a.m. on Aug. 31 in order to ride the Sept. 4 Kentucky Oaks and Sept. 5 Kentucky Derby cards.

Joel Rosario, who has ridden Derby starters Max Player and Enforceable, also will remain at Saratoga, according to his agent, Ron Anderson. Luis Saez is another jockey who will stay at Saratoga.

Steve Asmussen, the new trainer of Max Player, and Mark Casse, the trainer of Enforceable, have not yet confirmed riders for the Kentucky Derby. Asmussen uses Ricardo Santana Jr. on a regular basis, so he could be possible for Max Player.

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Five jockeys based at Saratoga who are confirmed to head to Kentucky are Manny Franco, the regular rider of Derby favorite Tiz the Law; John Velazquez, the regular rider of probable Oaks favorite Gamine; Javier Castellano, regular rider of Oaks contender Speech and Derby hopeful Caracaro; Tyler Gaffalione; and Santana.

Velazquez has picked up the mount on Authentic for trainer Bob Baffert in the Kentucky Derby.

Florent Geroux, who has been riding at Ellis Park this summer, will ride Thousand Words for Baffert in the Derby, according to agent Doug Bredar.

- additional reporting by Jay Privman