Three-time Eclipse Award winner Irad Ortiz, Jr. ventured out west to Santa Anita from his Belmont Park base on Monday for seven riding assignments. The east coast invader won four of those, including two prestigious Grade 1 races, but not before a graded stakes win on Saturday at Belmont Park.
A panel of racing experts voted Ortiz, Jr. Jockey of the Week for May 23 through May 30. The award honors jockeys who are members of the Jockeys' Guild, the organization which represents more than 1050 active, retired and permanently disabled jockeys in the United States.
Riding for trainer Wesley Ward on Saturday at Belmont Park, Ortiz, Jr. piloted Chardy Party in the G3 Soaring Softy for 3-year-old fillies. Off as the second favorite in the nine-horse field and breaking from the outside post, the pair raced in fifth, 3 1/2 lengths off the pace. Chardy Party made a sweeping four-wide move in upper stretch to make the lead, and held off the oncoming Breeze Easy to win by a neck in a final time of 1:21.47 for the seven furlong turf test.
“She broke much better. Last time she missed the break and still came home like that last 100 yards,” said Ortiz, Jr. “She did break good and put me in a great position.”
Ortiz, Jr. then travelled to California for the Memorial Day Monday card at Santa Anita. He quickly picked up a win in the first race for trainer John Sadler and in the third race for trainer Mark Glatt.
Trainer Michael McCarthy called on Ortiz, Jr. to ride There Goes Harvard in the G1 Hollywood Gold Cup at 1 1/4 miles. Saving ground at the rail for the first six furlongs, There Goes Harvard was moved to the two path into the stretch and reeled in pacesetter Defunded to prevail by a length in 2:02.66.
“I had a perfect trip,” said Ortiz, Jr. who collected his first Gold Cup win. “I tried to let him relax, settle a little bit, and he did come back to me on the backside. That was key. I was just biding my time and kicked him out down the lane and responded really well. I just trusted the trainer, Mr. McCarthy. He told me he was ready.”
Ortiz, Jr. won his second consecutive G1 race on Count Again for trainer Phil D'Amato in the Shoemaker Mile. Benefitting from a hot pace set by Dance Some Mo, Count Again rallied from last around the far turn, reeled in favorite Smooth Like Straight a furlong out for the win in 1:32.40.
“I just followed instructions,” said Ortiz, Jr. “Phil told me to let him do his thing and don't rush him. He had a big turn of foot. The horse was ready to run today, was ready to win.”
Ortiz, Jr.'s statistics for the week were 23-9-6-2 and $1,065,320 in total purses to lead all jockeys.
Other nominees for Jockey of the Week were Angel I. Diaz with 10 wins, Stewart Elliott with three stakes wins, Harry Hernandez also with 10 wins, and Juan J. Hernandez with five stakes wins.
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