Ortiz piling up the victories

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Fresh off his second consecutive Eclipse Award-winning season, jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. is certainly giving every indication he’s not about to take his foot off the gas pedal in quest of a third consecutive title in 2020.

Ortiz went on a memorable roll late last week, winning 13 races over a three-day span beginning Friday and culminating with six victories on Sunday’s program, including five of the six legs of the Rainbow 6 sequence.

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Ortiz, who two weeks earlier rode Mucho Gusto to victory in the $3 million Pegasus World Cup, won Sunday’s opener aboard Sassy Justice, registered back-to-back victories with Fashion Babe and Liana Susquehanna for trainer Jason Servis, then closed out the card by sweeping the final three races with Sweet Mia, Miss Munnings, and Lookin At Roses.

Ortiz increased his already substantial lead in the standings for the 2019-20 meeting to 88-69 over runner-up Luis Saez following his most recent run. He also is far in front in the national standings through the opening six weeks of the year, holding a 59-36 advantage, also over Saez, with purse earnings of more than $3.8 million heading into Wednesday’s card. Ortiz, whose agent is Jay Rushing, captured the 2018-19 Championship meet crown with 135 winners.

“Great day, can’t complain, everything went perfect,” Ortiz said following his sixth win Sunday. “I knew I had live horses when I came here this morning, but you never know what’s going to happen when the gates open. I just try to ride all the horses the best I can, and thank God, everything came out good.”

Ortiz parlays natural ability, dedication, and hard work into his success.

Said Victor Sanchez, the Gulfstream clek of scales: “Just before the riders went out for the last race on Sunday, Irad ran over to the replay machine in the jocks’ room to watch the replay of his mount’s previous race, just to get a better idea of what his horse was like. He does that kind of thing all the time.”

Ortiz, who’ll fly to Saudi Arabia to ride Mucho Gusto for trainer Bob Baffert in the $20 Million Saudi Cup on Feb. 29, said he’s just “enjoying the moment.”

“I’m having a great meet so far,” Ortiz said. “My agent is doing a great job, and I can’t thank all the owners and trainers enough for their support. I’m so happy. My family is here with me. I’m living the dream right now.”