Ortiz wins fall meet riding title

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – It may not be as thrilling as winning his first Saratoga riding title, which he did earlier this summer, but jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. won his first Aqueduct fall meet riding crown with 30 winners at the 26-day meet, which ended Sunday.

Ortiz’s 30 winners, which included a pair of four-win afternoons, were five more than brother Jose, who won three races on Sunday’s card. Javier Castellano and Kendrick Carmouche tied for third with 20 wins apiece.

After finishing second to David Jacobson in the last three Aqueduct fall meets, Rudy Rodriguez won his first fall title with 15 victories, one more than Chad Brown. Those two were followed by Todd Pletcher (10), David Jacobson (9), and the quintet of Bruce Brown, Gary Contessa, Chris Englehart, Shug McGaughey, and Linda Rice, each with seven.

Michael Dubb was the leading owner with 12 victories, five more than runner-up Jacobson.