Victory in the Belmont Derby Invitational capped a four-win day for Jose Ortiz on Saturday, but finishing the spring/summer meet on top of the jockey standings on Sunday concluded the weekend and the meet on a very high note.
The panel of racing experts rewarded Ortiz with the honor of Jockey of the Week for July 3 through July 9. The award recognizes jockeys for riding accomplishments and who are members of the Jockeys' Guild, the organization which represents more than 1050 active, retired and permanently disabled jockeys in the United States.
Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher gave Ortiz a leg up on Far Bridge in the Grade 1 Belmont Derby Invitational, one of four graded stakes on Saturday.
Breaking from post position five in the field of 11, Far Bridge raced inside in seventh then sixth. Ortiz angled Far Bridge out in early stretch gaining command in the final sixteenth to win by a length in 2:01.75 for the 1 1/4-mile turf test. Far Bridge won as the second choice over race favorite the European invader, The Foxes, who finished third after a troubled trip.
“I rode him one time (a win in March at Gulfstream) and I think that helped, but every race developed differently,” said Ortiz. “Unfortunately, last time he was in some trouble but the horse doesn't help himself – he lugs in a bit and that can get you in trouble and that's what happened. I cut the corner at the quarter pole – beautiful trip – and when I tip him out, he exploded. It was a nice kick in the end.”
Going into Sunday's card, Ortiz held a four-race lead over his brother Irad Ortiz, Jr.
“I'm taking it one race at time,” said Ortiz on Saturday.
In the end, Ortiz held the lead and prevailed by one win over his brother to secure the leading rider title with 59 wins.
“It was fun – it's great,” said Ortiz, who also won the 2021 Belmont spring/summer title with 59 wins. “I work very hard in the mornings and I receive good opportunities from the owners and trainers and I am very thankful for that.”
It was the fourth leading rider title on the NYRA circuit for Ortiz.
Ortiz will ride the Saratoga meet which begins July 13.
Other nominees for Jockey of the Week were Martin Garcia with two stakes wins at Prairie Meadows including the G3 Prairie Meadows Cornhusker, Marcelino Pedroza, Jr. who won the G3 Indiana Derby, Flavien Prat who won a stakes race at Belmont and posted five wins on the July 4 card at Belmont, and John Velazquez with two graded stakes wins at Belmont Park.
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