Ortiz returning for Alabama mount aboard Counting Stars
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SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Jockey Irad Ortiz Jr., who has not ridden the last two weeks due to a foot injury, is set to return Saturday at Saratoga, where, among his three mounts, is likely odds-on favorite Counting Stars in the Grade 1, $600,000 Alabama Stakes.
Ortiz was injured during the post parade of the seventh race on Aug. 1 when his mount, And the Runner Is, ran off with him and smashed into the rail. Ortiz developed swelling on the top of his foot and hasn’t ridden since.
As of Thursday, Ortiz had yet to get back on horses in the morning, though he planned to work some on Friday. In addition to Counting Stars, Ortiz is named to ride two horses for Brad Cox on Saturday.
“I feel good,” Ortiz said Thursday. “It bothers me a little to walk, but I can put pressure on it, I can do everything. It’s time to come back.”
Ortiz said he has been doing therapy, including walking, bicycling, and Magna wave treatments to help get the foot right. He said he is taking his comeback on the slower side, having accepted three mounts on Saturday and four on Sunday.
“We got to go step by step, don’t rush anything right now,” Ortiz said. “We know we’re not competing for the [title], why try to ride every single race? We decided to go step by step. I feel good right now but you have to get on the horses still. I’m hoping I can ride my horses at my level.”
Despite having missed some time due to injuries and a riding suspension at the beginning of the meet, Ortiz is tied for second nationally in wins with his brother Jose, both at 212, coming into Thursday’s races. Paco Lopez leads all riders with 222 wins. Irad Ortiz Jr. is second in purse earnings with $25.6 million, about $1.2 million behind his brother.
Ortiz said he targeted Saturday for his return because he really wants to ride Counting Stars in the Alabama after guiding her to victories in the Acorn in June and the Coaching Club American Oaks in July.
“That’s an important race, I think she’s an important horse, I love her,” Ortiz said. “I feel like I can ride, that’s the reason I come back Saturday.”
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