Irad Ortiz | Horse Racing Free Tips

Jockey/Horsemen Basketball Game In Saratoga Aug. 4

Edited Press Release

The 13th annual jockeys-versus-horsemen charity basketball game, which benefits the programs of the New York Race Track Chaplaincy (NYRTC), will be played Thursday, Aug. 4, 2022, at the Saratoga Springs Recreation Center at 6:30 p.m.

The game is one of the most popular events on the Saratoga social calendar and routinely attracts more than 300 fans. Admission is free.

The jockey team will once again be coached by Hall of Fame jockey Angel Cordero, Jr., with trainer Todd Pletcher and agent Kiaran McLaughlin coaching the horsemen team. Mitch Levites will serve as the announcer and provide lively commentary.

“This game is always immensely fun and beyond that, it raises much-needed funds to support our various programs,” said Humberto Chavez, the New York Chaplaincy lead chaplain and executive director. “Saratogians and so many of the fans who spend time in Saratoga have been great supporters of those who take care of the horses behind the scenes.”

Fans will be able to participate in raffles and one lucky fan will leave with a custom, autographed bobblehead of champion jockey Irad Ortiz, Jr.

NYRTC provides the backstretch community with children's enrichment, social service, and recreational programs, as well as educational opportunities, and non-denominational religious services.

Horsemen, individuals, or organizations who would like to sponsor the game may do so via the NY Chaplaincy website at www.rtcany.org or by contacting Eleanor Poppe at info@rtcany.org or 516-428-5267.

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The Major Talking Points From Day Two at Royal Ascot

From State Of Rest (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}) silencing his doubters once again to Irad Ortiz's week going from bad to worse, there was plenty to digest from day two at Royal Ascot. Brian Sheerin fleshed out the main talking points from another thrilling day's action.

Eldar Eldarov Owner is Living the Dream

HH Shaikh Khalid, owner of Eldar Eldarov (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), told ITV Racing that his dream in racing is to find a horse good enough to stand as a stallion. Eldar Eldarov could well be up to fulfilling that dream one day judging by his hard-fought victory in the G2 Queen's Vase.

What do breeders want in a stallion? A horse who showed class on the track, but also one who had a will to win and was tough. Eldar Eldarov displayed all of those qualities in keeping his unbeaten record intact by snaring Zechariah (Ire) (Nathaniel) in the final strides.

Kew Gardens (Ire), Stradivarius (Ire) and Leading Light (Ire) all feature among the roll of honour for the Queen's Vase throughout the past decade and it's safe to assume that Eldar Eldarov will go down as one of the better winners of the 1 3/4-mile contest given the victory represented just the third start of his career.

Eldar Eldarov looks sure to develop further as a stayer and is likely to take high rank in the G1 St Leger at Doncaster later in the season.

It should also be noted that this horse had an abundance of options throughout the week but Roger Varian and his team chose correctly as the step up in trip has clearly seen him in an even greater light.

He looks a smart horse in the making and, if successful in the St Leger, will go some way in delivering his owner's dream.

Time to Give State Of Rest the Respect he Deserves

What on earth does State Of Rest have to do to start getting the respect he deserves? Here is a horse who has won Group/Grade 1 races in America, Australia and France, yet he was allowed to go off at odds just shy of 10-1 on the World Pool and returned 5-1 in a five-runner Prince Of Wales's S.

Of course, this is all being said with a heavy helping of hindsight, because State Of Rest needed to bounce back from a below-par effort in the G1 Tattersalls Gold Cup at the Curragh, when the race didn't go to plan.

Like State Of Rest, Shane Crosse had a few questions to answer after that third-place effort behind Alenquer (Fr) (Adlerflug {Ger}), and he did just that with an exhibition in front-running riding.

Crosse got the fractions right and saved enough to fend off Bay Bridge (GB) (New Bay {Ire}) who, despite having much more to prove than State Of Rest, was sent to post a 10-11 favourite.

It's hard to imagine what more State Of Rest needs to do to start getting the credit he deserves. He has been brilliantly handled by Joseph O'Brien to win four races at the highest level–in three different continents–and it's about time he started getting the credit for being the top-notcher that he is.

From Bad to Worse for Ortiz

Wesley Ward made a big call last week in pledging his Royal Ascot allegiance to Irad Ortiz, in doing so relegating leading European riders like Frankie Dettori to the substitutes bench.

The pair got off to a difficult start on Tuesday when Golden Pal (Uncle Mo) missed the kick completely in the G1 King's Stand S. before trailing home in last position, after which, Ortiz revealed he was looking at the withdrawn Mondammej (GB) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) when the gates opened.

Things went from bad to worse on Wednesday when Ortiz picked up a five-day ban for careless riding for a dangerous maneuver aboard Love Reigns (Ire) (US Navy Flag) in the G2 Queen Mary S.

Unlike Golden Pal, Love Reigns broke like a bullet from the stalls in the Queen Mary S., but Ortiz then allowed the filly to drift across to her left, forcing leading fancy Katey Kontent (GB) (Havana Grey {GB}) off her running line.

Love Reigns could only manage fourth behind the hugely impressive Dramatised (Ire) (Showcasing {GB}) and the stewards took a dim view of Ortiz's riding at the start of the race by dishing out that ban.

Luckily for the top American-based rider, he has a number of chances to redeem himself, including with Campanelle (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}) in the G1 Commonwealth Cup on Friday.

Predictably, many people made the argument that a seasoned professional like Dettori, who knows Ascot better than most, would never make the same mistake at the gates as Ortiz did aboard Golden Pal.

Therefore, there was a certain irony that Lord North (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire})'s bid for Prince Of Wales's glory was all but over after Dettori failed to move the blindfold in time, costing John and Thady Gosden's charge valuable lengths at the start.

Turns out all of these top jockeys are human, eh?

Big Bear an Important Ballydoyle Winner

Little Big Bear (Ire) (No Nay Never) ran out an important winner of the Listed Windsor Castle S. for Aidan O'Brien, who had sent out 21 runners since recording his last winner, no less than Tuesday (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) in the G1 Oaks.

There has been a school of thought that O'Brien has been dealing with an above average bunch of 2-year-olds this season, evidenced by the fact that he has sent out 13 winners from 26 runners domestically, which equates to a whopping 50% strike-rate.

Blackbeard (Ire) (No Nay Never) ran a perfectly respectable race when fourth in the G2 Coventry S. on Tuesday but nothing beats a winner and the success of Little Big Bear will provide the Ballydoyle team with confidence heading into the rest of the week.

O'Brien has The Antarctic (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}), a brother to Battaash, to look forward to in the G2 Norfolk S. on Thursday while Meditate (Ire) (No Nay Never) is likely to go off a short-priced favourite for the G3 Albany S.

It may have taken the O'Brien team a little time to click into gear at the royal meeting this year but it will be a surprise if the success of Little Big Bear is not built upon.

TDN Rising Stars Come Of Age

There is an old saying that self praise is no praise but, in the case of the TDN's 'Rising Stars', the hugely popular designation is showing a 100% strike-rate in the juvenile races at the royal meeting thus far.

Impressive G2 Coventry S. winner Bradsell (GB) (Tasleet {GB}), G2 Queen Mary heroine Dramatised and the Windsor Castle hero Little Big Bear were all flagged as 'TDN Rising Stars'. Don't say you weren't told.

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Summer Front’s Wow Whata Summer Upsets Penn Mile

Wow Whata Summer sprung the second biggest upset of the year so far when he crossed the finish line in front for the first time, besting previously undefeated 'TDN Rising Star' Annapolis at odds of 83-1 in the GII Penn Mile S. Uncaptured Spirit (Uncaptured) hustled up to take immediate control with heavily favored Annapolis dueling another foe two lengths back in second and Wow Whata Summer engaged in a three-battle off their heels. Wow Whata Summer moved up inside the chalk as the first quarter went up in :24.08 as the pacesetter continued to enjoy a comfortable lead.

An overeager Wow Whata Summer tugged his way up to pressure the leader, sticking his nose in front as the half went in :49.50 as Annapolis continued to bide his time. Wow Whata Summer kicked clear turning for home as Irad Ortiz began to call upon the favorite. Annapolis bore out a bit in early stretch, giving up some ground, but Ortiz quickly righted the ship and sent his mount after the longshot leader, but Wow Whata Summer kept on finding, holding Annapolis at bay by 1 1/4 lengths.

Placed first via DQ in his unveiling at Colonial in July, Wow Whata Summer checked in third in the Hickory Tree S. there a month later and was fourth in that venue's Kitten's Joy S. four weeks after that. Checking in fourth again in the Laurel Futurity S. Oct. 2, he was a soundly beaten ninth when trying dirt in a Laurel optional claimer Nov. 21. Returning to the grass in a 5 1/2-furlong allowance at Laurel Apr. 23, the dark bay rallied from well back to be third behind the re-opposing Uncaptured Spirit.

Pedigree Notes:
Wow Whata Summer is the fourth graded winner for his young sire Summer Front. His dam Loan Guarantee is a half to SW Strong Incentive (Warrior's Reward), who is the dam of SW & MGSP Highly Motivated (Into Mischief), who captured a Belmont allowance over Memorial Day weekend. Loan Guarantee is also responsible for a 2-year-old filly named Cherished Wish (Mshawish) and a yearling colt named Wow Whata Party (Desert Party).

Friday, Penn National
PENN MILE S.-GII, $400,000, Penn National, 6-3, 3yo, 1mT, 1:42.39, sf.
1–WOW WHATA SUMMER, 117, g, 3, by Summer Front
                1st Dam: Loan Guarantee, by Malibu Moon
                2nd Dam: G G's Dolly, by Comic Strip
                3rd Dam: Parfait, by Kingmambo
   1ST BLACK TYPE WIN, 1ST GRADED STAKES WIN. ($24,000
RNA Ylg '20 KEEJAN). O/B-Jeremy Brooks (KY); T-James L.
Lawrence, II; J-Tyler Conner. $232,800. Lifetime Record:
7-2-0-2, $296,000. Werk Nick Rating: A+. Click for the
   eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Annapolis, 122, c, 3, War Front–My Miss Sophia, by
Unbridled's Song. O/B-Bass Stables, LLC (KY); T-Todd A.
Pletcher. $77,600. 'TDN Rising Star'
3–Uncaptured Spirit, 116, c, 3, Uncaptured–Spirited Storm, by
Stormy Atlantic. 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE. O/B-TAG Stables
(FL); T-Mark Shuman. $42,680.
Margins: 1 1/4, 2, 2 3/4. Odds: 83.30, 0.50, 16.80.
Also Ran: Red Danger, Fort Washington, Ohtwoohthreefive, Witty, Noneedtoworry. Click for the com chart, the TJCIS.com PPs or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. VIDEO, sponsored by TVG.

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Weekly Stewards and Commissions Rulings, May 10-16

Every week, the TDN publishes a roundup of key official rulings from the primary tracks within the four major racing jurisdictions of California, New York, Florida and Kentucky.

Here's a primer on how each of these jurisdictions adjudicates different offenses, what they make public (or not) and where.

California

Track: Santa Anita
Date: 05/13/2022
Licensee: Peter Eurton, trainer
Penalty: $1,000
Violation: Late reporting
Explainer: Trainer Peter Eurton is fined $1,000.00 pursuant to California Horse Racing Board rule #1629 (Penalty for Late Declaration) and for violation of California Horse Racing Board rule #1865 (Altering Sex of Horse) for failure to properly report the gelding of the horse OCTOPUS which was scheduled to run in the eighth race at Santa Anita Park on April 15, 2022.

New York

Track: Belmont Park
Date: 05/14/2022
Licensee: Flavien Prat, jockey
Penalty: Three-day suspension
Violation: Careless riding
Explainer: For having waived his right to appeal Jockey Mr. Flavien Prat is hereby suspended 3 NYRA racing days, May 21st 2022, May 22nd 2022, and May 27th 2022 inclusive. This for careless riding during the running of the fourth race at Belmont Park on May 1st 2022. Suspended: 05/21/2022 to 05/27/2022 (3 days).

Kentucky

Some of the following rulings were not posted on the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission website in time for inclusion last week.

Track: Churchill Downs
Date: 05/06/2022
Licensee: Reyluis Gutierrez, jockey
Penalty: $500 fine
Violation: Excessive use of the whip
Explainer: After a hearing before the Board of Stewards, Reyluis Gutierrez, who rode Mr Dumas in the eighth race at Churchill Downs on May 5, 2022 was found to have violated the crop regulation. This being his first offense, Mr. Gutierrez was given the option and chose to pay a fine. Reyluis Gutierrez is hereby fined $500 for his improper use of the riding crop by exceeding the allowable use in the overhand manner.

Track: Churchill Downs
Date: 05/05/2022
Licensee: Brian Hernandez Jr., jockey
Penalty: $500 fine
Violation: Excessive use of the whip
Explainer: After waiving his right to a hearing before the Board of Stewards, Brian Hernandez Jr., who rode Fair Haired Boy in the sixth race at Churchill Downs on May 4, 2022 was found to have violated the crop regulation (2^nd offense). Brian Hernandez Jr. is hereby fined $500 for his improper use of the crop by exceeding the allowable use in the overhand manner.

Track: Churchill Downs
Date: 05/11/2022
Licensee: Manuel Franco, jockey
Penalty: $500 fine
Violation: Excessive use of the whip
Explainer: After waiving his right to a hearing before the Board of Stewards, Manuel Franco, who rode Idiomatic in the first race at Churchill Downs on May 6, 2022 was found to have violated the crop regulation. This being his first offense, Mr. Rosado was given the option and chose to pay a fine. Manuel Franco is hereby fined $500 for his improper use of the crop by exceeding the allowable use in the overhand manner.

Track: Churchill Downs
Date: 05/11/2022
Licensee: Manuel Franco, jockey
Penalty: $500 fine
Violation: Excessive use of the whip
Explainer: After waiving his right to a hearing before the Board of Stewards, Manuel Franco, who rode Turnerloose in the eleventh race at Churchill Downs on May 6, 2022 was found to have violated the crop regulation (2^nd offense). Manuel Franco is hereby fined $500 for his improper use of the crop by exceeding the allowable use in the overhand manner.

Track: Churchill Downs
Date: 05/11/2022
Licensee: Mitchell Murrill, jockey
Penalty: $500 fine
Violation: Excessive use of the whip
Explainer: After waiving his right to a hearing before the Board of Stewards, Mitchell Murrill, who rode Warrior Johnny in the first race at Churchill Downs on May 7, 2022 was found to have violated the crop regulation. This being his first offense, Mr. Murrill was given the option and chose to pay a fine. Mitchell Murrill is hereby fined $500 for his improper use of the riding crop by exceeding the allowable use in the overhand manner.

Track: Churchill Downs
Date: 05/11/2022
Licensee: Jose Ortiz, jockey
Penalty: $500 fine
Violation: Excessive use of the whip
Explainer: After waiving his right to a hearing before the Board of Stewards, Jose L. Ortiz, who rode Injunction in the sixth race at Churchill Downs on May 7, 2022 was found to have violated the crop regulation. This being his first offense, Mr. Ortiz was given the option and chose to pay a fine. Jose L. Ortiz is hereby fined $500 for his improper use of the crop by exceeding the allowable use in the overhand manner.

Track: Churchill Downs
Date: 05/11/2022
Licensee: Jose Ortiz, jockey
Penalty: $500 fine
Violation: Excessive use of the whip
Explainer: After waiving his right to a hearing before the Board of Stewards, Jose L. Ortiz, who rode Obligatory in the eighth race at Churchill Downs on May 7, 2022 was found to have violated the crop regulation (2^nd offense). Jose L. Ortiz is hereby fined $500 for his improper use of the crop by exceeding the allowable use in the overhand manner.

Track: Churchill Downs
Date: 05/13/2022
Licensee: Irad Ortiz Jr., jockey
Penalty: $500 fine
Violation: Excessive use of the whip
Explainer: After waiving his right to a hearing before the Board of Stewards, Irad Ortiz Jr., who rode Obligatory in the twelfth race at Churchill Downs on May 7, 2022 was found to have violated the crop regulation. This being his first offense, Mr. Ortiz was given the option and chose to pay a fine. Irad Ortiz Jr. is hereby fined $500 for his improper use of the crop by exceeding the allowable use in the overhand manner.

Track: Churchill Downs
Date: 05/13/2022
Licensee: Irad Ortiz Jr., jockey
Penalty: $100 fine
Violation: Failure to appear to watch race review
Explainer: After waiving his right to a hearing before the Board of Stewards, Irad Ortiz Jr. is hereby fined $100 for failure to be present for the race replay review on ma 12, 2022 after being duly notified to appear.

Track: Churchill Downs
Date: 05/13/2022
Licensee: Gerardo Corrales, jockey
Penalty: Five-day suspension
Violation: Withdrawal of appeal
Explainer: Having withdrawn the appeal pf Stewards Ruling #21-0096 issued December 11, 2021, Gerardo Corrales is now hereby suspended 5 racing days, May 19, May 20, May 21, May 22, May 26, 2022.

Track: Churchill Downs
Date: 05/15/2022
Licensee: Brad Cox, trainer
Penalty: Ten-day suspension, $500 fine
Violation: Medication violation
Explainer: Upon receipt of notification from Industrial Laboratories, the official testing laboratory for the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission and confirmed at Texas A & M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory, sample number E454454 taken from Warrior's Charge, who finished second in the eleventh race at Churchill Downs on June 26, 2021 contained phenylbutazone at a level of 2.51 ug/ml in blood (Class C)/ After waiving his right to a formal hearing before the Board of Stewards Brad H. Cox is hereby suspended 10 days, May 23 2022 through June 1, 2022 (inclusive) and fined $500. Warrior's Charge us disqualified and all purse money forfeited.

Read more about the story here at the TDN.

Track: Churchill Downs
Date: 05/15/2022
Licensee: James Graham, jockey
Penalty: $500 fine
Violation: Excessive use of the whip
Explainer: After a hearing before the Board of Stewards, James Graham, who rode Zmuda in the sixth race at Churchill Downs on May 13, 2022 was found to have violated the crop regulation. This being his first offense, Mr. Graham was given the option and chose to pay a fine. James Graham is hereby fined $500 for his improper use of the riding crop by exceeding the allowable use in the overhand manner.

Track: Churchill Downs
Date: 05/15/2022
Licensee: Joseph Rocco Jr., jockey
Penalty: $500 fine
Violation: Excessive use of the whip
Explainer: After waiving his right to a hearing before the Board of Stewards, Joseph Rocco Jr., who rode Uninvited Guest in the fourth race at Churchill Downs on May 13, 2022 was found to have violated the crop regulation (3rd offense). Joseph Rocco Jr. is hereby fined $500 for his improper use of the crop by exceeding the allowable use in the overhand manner.

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