Jockey Jose Ortiz had an exceptionally good weekend at Pimlico Race Course with three stakes race victories highlighted by an emotional win in the Grade 1 Preakness Stakes, the middle jewel of the Triple Crown. A panel of racing experts voted Ortiz Jockey of the Week for May 16 through May 22. 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 Christophe Clement at Pimlico on Friday, Ortiz was aboard Pizza Bianca in the Hilltop Stakes for 3-year-old fillies. Off as the favorite in the field of eight, the pair raced unhurried six lengths off the pace. Ortiz gave Pizza Bianca her cue turning for home going outside and around horses for the drive down the stretch. They took command near the sixteenth pole drawing off to a 1 3/4-length win in 1:36.54 for the 1 1/16-mile turf test.
“Down the backside, I thought they went a little bit too fast early on and I felt like I was in the perfect position,” said Ortiz. “I knew from the six-furlong pole I was sitting on a lot of horse, I rode her very confident from that point.”
On Saturday, trainer Chad Brown gave a leg up to Ortiz on Technical Analysis in the G3 Gallorette Stakes. Favored at 3-5 over five rivals, Technical Analysis broke alertly and made every pole a winning one posting a 3 1/4-length win in 1:41.40 for the 1 1/16-mile turf race for fillies and mares 3-years-old and up.
“I was just a passenger,” said Ortiz, who was riding Technical Analysis for the seventh time. “She was much the best today. She looked like it on paper, and she went out there and did what she had to do. Chad had her ready.”
It was the Chad Brown and Jose Ortiz duo again in the G1 Preakness Stakes with Early Voting. Off as the third betting choice in the nine horse field, Early Voting broke alertly and chased pacesetter Armagnac and remained the closest pursuer along the backstretch and far turn. Ortiz said “go” leaving the turn into the stretch and Early Voting responded opening up a 3 1/2-length lead. The duo held off race favorite Epicenter to post a 1 1/4-length win in 1:54.54.
“It's a huge race,” said Ortiz who was clearly overwhelmed by winning his first Preakness with his fifth attempt. “It's a dream come true. It's amazing to share this moment with my family, my mom and dad. I know they are watching, and my wife and kids are here.”
Ortiz outpolled Victor Carrasco with two stakes wins, Florent Geroux with four stakes victories, Kylee Jordan who led all jockeys in wins with 10, and Luis Saez who won three stakes races.
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