Ortiz headed to Hong Kong

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Irad Ortiz Jr., who will finish the year as leading rider on the New York Racing Association circuit in wins and purse money won, will miss a few days next week to ride in a jockey challenge in Hong Kong.

Ortiz, who was to ride Saturday’s opening-day program at Gulfstream Park, will be here Sunday and then leave for Hong Kong early Monday morning. He will return in time to ride at Aqueduct next Friday.

Ortiz won his NYRA-leading 267th race when he guided Carameaway to a half-length victory in a New York-bred allowance race in Friday’s third race. Ortiz leads his brother Jose by 63 victories in the race for leading rider on this circuit for 2014.

Irad Ortiz Jr.’s $18 million in purse earnings also tops this circuit with Javier Castellano’s $14.5 million second best, narrowly over Jose Ortiz.

Castellano is done riding in New York for the year. He was scheduled to ride here Friday, but had to take off his mounts due to travel arrangements being changed for his riding engagement this weekend in Venezuela.

Castellano, a leading candidate to win the Eclipse Award as North America’s top rider, finished his year in New York with 168 wins from 787 mounts. He ranked fourth in victories.