Sidelined by a knee injury since Jan. 7, defending two-time Championship Meet titlist Irad Ortiz Jr. returned to action Saturday at Gulfstream Park.
The 29-year-old jockey accepted two mounts for his first day back, finishing fourth in the $75,000 Sunshine Turf aboard Max K. O. in Race 4 and fifth aboard Ideal Breeze in Race 5.
“This is the way we wanted to come back. I haven't been riding for [15] days and we wanted to start getting back slowly and pick it up,” Ortiz said. “I've been coming out in the morning to get on some horses, but it's great to be back in the afternoon and be able to do what I love. It didn't take too long, and I feel great, thank God.”
Earlier in the day, Ortiz was aboard defending Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational (G1) champion Colonel Liam during a morning breeze at Palm Beach Downs. The three-time Eclipse Award-winning jockey is scheduled to ride Colonel Liam $1 million Pegasus Turf, as well as Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (G1) winner Life Is Good in the $3 Million Pegasus World Cup Invitational (G1) at Gulfstream next Saturday.
“We'll see what happens, but everything looks good,” said Ortiz, who sustained a knee injury when a mount reared up in the starting gate Jan. 7. “I'm excited.”
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