Stakes races with Breeders' Cup implications highlighted the weekend's racing and top jockey Jose L. Ortiz made the most of riding engagements at Keeneland and Belmont at the Big A. With a total of five stakes wins, three designated Breeders' Cup Win and You're In races, Ortiz was voted Jockey of the Week for Oct. 2 through Oct. 8 by the panel of racing experts.
The honor recognizes jockeys for riding accomplishments and who are members of the Jockeys' Guild, the organization which represents more than 1,050 active, retired and permanently disabled jockeys in the United States.
Ortiz was at Belmont at the Big A on Friday riding Northern Invader for trainer Cherie DeVaux in the Gio Ponti Stakes for 3-year-olds. Northern Invader tracked the leader City Fever through the opening quarter then took over to post a one-length win in 1:35.25 for the one mile turf test.
Ortiz then flew to Lexington on Saturday for Keeneland's opening weekend. Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher gave a leg up to Ortiz aboard the 2-year-old Locked in the Grade 1 Claiborne Breeders' Futurity. Off as the favorite in the field of eight, Locked settled in mid-pack until the final turn when Ortiz made a sweeping move that put Locked on even terms with The Wine Steward. With a furlong to go, Locked took the lead to post a one-half length win in 1:45.06 for 1 1/16-mile contest over the fast main track. The win earned Locked a spot in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile on Nov. 3.
Riding again for Pletcher on Saturday, Ortiz was in the irons aboard Up to the Mark in the G1 Coolmore Turf Mile. Breaking from post position five in the field of nine, Up to the Mark settled off the early pace in seventh with favorite Master of The Seas. The two hooked up in deep stretch after coming from the back of the pack with Up to the Mark just getting up by a nose at the wire in 1:34.18. With the victory, Up to the Mark has an entry into the Breeders' Cup Mile on Nov. 4.
Ortiz was back to Belmont at the Big A on Sunday to ride Book'em Danno for trainer Derek Ryan in the Futurity which was taken off the turf and run on the main track. Off as the favorite in the field of five, Book'em Danno was much the best posting a 6 1/2-length win in 1:09.47 for six furlongs. With the race coming off the turf, a Breeders' Cup panel will determine if the race will still be considered a Win and You're In for the Juvenile Turf Sprint.
Ortiz put an exclamation point on the weekend with an easy win aboard Gerrymander in the Noble Damsel at one mile for fillies and mares. Taken off the turf, the field was scratched down to two with Gerrymander winning in a final time of 1:36.46.
Ortiz outpolled Junior Alvarado with two G1 wins, Javier Castellano with three stakes wins including the G1 E.P. Taylor, Florent Geroux with two G1 wins, and Flavien Prat with two G2 wins.
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