Tag: People

Jockey Irad Ortiz, Jr. has added another record to his already impressive list of riding accomplishments. At Gulfstream Park on Friday, Ortiz, Jr. won seven races on the day's nine-race card. While he is the sixth jockey to ride seven winners at Gulfstream Park, he is the first to do so in consecutive races. Friday's accomplishment was just part of Ortiz, Jr.'s weekend as he also won two graded races.

The panel of racing experts voted Ortiz, Jr. Jockey of the Week for Jan. 30 through Feb. 5. The award honors jockeys for riding accomplishments and who are members of the Jockeys' Guild, the organization which represents more than 1050 active, retired and permanently disabled jockeys in the United States.

On Friday, Ortiz, Jr. had a mount in each of the day's nine races. After finishing fifth in the first race on the favorite, his win streak began with Dignified in Race 2 for trainer Jose Garoffalo, Little Jewel in Race 3 for Carlo Vaccarezza, Lakota Territory in Race 4 for Todd Pletcher, Riveting Spirit in Race 5 for Saffie Joseph, Tape to Tape in Race 6 for Larry Rivelli, Rhymes Like Dimes in Race 7 for Saffie Joseph and Six Minus in Race 8 for Todd Pletcher. He finished seventh in the day's final race.

“Everything worked out so well today, and I'm thankful,” said Ortiz, Jr. “Everything came out perfect out there. It was one of those days where everything goes your way, so you enjoy it.”

On Saturday, the red-hot Ortiz, Jr. was aboard Major Dude for trainer Todd Pletcher in the Grade 3 Kitten's Joy. Breaking from post position four, Major Dude settled in fifth before moving outside at the top of the stretch, getting up inside the eighth pole to win by 1 1/2 lengths. Major Dude's final time for the 1 1/16-mile turf test was 1:39.85.

Riding again for Todd Pletcher in the G3 Sweetest Chant, Ortiz, Jr. was aboard the favorite, Cairo Consort. After a disastrous start, Cairo Consort spotted the field several lengths settling in ninth but with a patient ride, came rolling down the center of the stretch to win by three-quarters of a length. Her final time for the 1 1/16-mile turf test was 1:40.95.

“When she missed the break, I just let her relax,” Ortiz, Jr. said. “She was happy back there, relaxing. By the turn she wanted to go. I didn't want to go too wide, so we cut the corner. She was there and gave me a good turn of foot.”

Ortiz, Jr., a 30-year-old native of Puerto Rico, was recently awarded his fourth Eclipse Award as Outstanding Jockey. His mount earnings of more than $37 million last year and 80 stakes victories set all-time records. He currently leads the standings at the Championship meet with 49 winners, eight more than defending champ, Luis Saez.

Other contenders for Jockey of the Week included Reylu Gutierrez who won three stakes races at Delta Downs, Harry Hernandez who led all riders in wins for the week with 12, Flavien Prat with two graded stakes wins at Santa Anita, and Luis Saez who won two graded stakes at Gulfstream Park.

The post Seven-Win Day Leads To Jockey Of The Week Title For Irad Ortiz, Jr. appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Former champion jockey Oisin Murphy, who was banned for 14 months by the British Horseracing Authority for COVID and alcohol-related breaches, is preparing to return to the saddle. During his ban, Murphy was open about his struggles with alcoholism and often served as a racing analyst on live broadcasts during major race meets.

A statement released by the BHA on Tuesday, Feb. 7, revealed the conditions under which Murphy will be allowed to return.

“While the full conditions will not be made public, they include the need for Mr. Murphy to remain sober and avoid the use of any illicit substances or social drugs,” the BHA statement explains. “To monitor this, Mr. Murphy will be subject to an enhanced testing regime both on the racecourse, and through the providing of hair samples for analysis at random times of the BHA's choosing.

“Mr. Murphy must also engage in regular contact, through his own medical professionals, with (BHA's Chief Medical Advisor) Dr. Jerry Hill to ensure his ongoing fitness to ride. These conditions will be reviewed after 12 months, as well as being subject to alteration or amendment should the BHA consider this necessary during the course of his license.

“The BHA is grateful for Mr. Murphy's professional approach during what has been an extensive process and wishes him well both on his return to racing and  with regards to his personal wellbeing.”

The BHA retains the right to suspend Murphy's license if any of the conditions are not met.

Murphy's first big-race rides since his suspension are expected to come on the Saudi Cup card: he has been named to ride Royal Ascot winner Missed The Cut in the Neom Turf Cup.

At the end of 2021, following a season that saw him crowned champion jockey for a third straight year, Murphy relinquished his license voluntarily in order to focus on his rehabilitation. He was sentenced to a 14-month ban after a BHA disciplinary hearing on Feb. 22, 2022.

His rules breaches were as follows:

• Rule (J)24.6 on two occasions (Sept. 17, 2020, and Feb. 12, 2021) by misleading or attempting to mislead the BHA or one of its employees regarding the destination of his travel in order to circumvent Coronavirus ('Covid') restrictions;
• Rule (J)24 by failing to comply with the BHA's COVID-19 Requirements, by:
  • deliberately misleading BHA Officials by providing incorrect information to access multiple racecourses between Sept. 13 and 26 of 2020 and
  • entering racecourses whilst in breach of Government requirements relating to self-isolation between Sept. 13 and 26 of 2020 failing to comply with Government requirements and Racecourse Terms of Condition and Entry contrary to Rule (J)24.4
• Rule (J)19 by acting in a manner which is prejudicial to the proper integrity, conduct or good reputation of the sport, by:
  • on or around Sept. 16, 2020 accessing the licensed training premises of Andrew Balding and engaging in work duties for him, despite being legally required to self-isolate; and
  • between Sept. 11 and 18 of 2020 providing a false version of events during media commitments regarding his true location between Sept. 9 and 12, 2020.
• Rule (K)55 (Alcohol) due to the presence of alcohol above the threshold level of 54 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of urine in a sample collected from Mr. MURPHY at Chester racecourse on May 5, 2021;
• Rule (K)55 (Alcohol) due to the presence of alcohol above the threshold level of 17 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath in a sample collected from Mr. MURPHY at Newmarket Racecourse on Oct. 8, 2021.

The post Former Champion Jockey Oisin Murphy Poised For Return After 14-Month Ban appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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The National Steeplechase Association has filled the remaining two vacancies on its board of directors with a familiar name from the Maryland timber circuit and a top executive with one of the NSA's historic Southern meets.

The appointments of James Stierhoff and Frank Mullins, made by NSA President Al Griffin and his executive committee, restore the board to its full complement of 15 members, who are charged with overseeing the regulation of steeplechase racing in the U.S., and managing the business side of the Association. The duo was named to fill out the terms of two members who had resigned in 2022.

Stierhoff is a retired amateur jockey best known for his partnership with dual Maryland Hunt Cup winner Twill Do. A partner and portfolio manager at Brown Advisory, he co-chaired the Green Spring Point to Point Committee and served on the Board of the Maryland Steeplechase Association for many years. More recently, Stierhoff was named co-chairman of the committee that runs the Legacy Chase at Shawan Downs, a group of young professionals from the Maryland racing and business communities that was assembled to ensure the future of the meet by appealing to new fans and making the race-day experience better for existing ones.

A native of Augusta, Ga., Mullins graduated from college in 1984 and began working in commercial and residential real estate development. During his career he developed, capitalized, and managed projects for various clients, including federal agencies, hospitals, banks, and large private corporations. During this time, Mullins also partnered with his brother, Dr. Fred Mullins, on many business ventures within and outside the medical spectrum. Mullins also manages a family-owned private equity portfolio.

Horses are a significant part of Mullins' life, and last summer he succeeded Paul Sauerborn as president of the Aiken Steeplechase Association, which conducts racing at a brand new facility along Richland Avenue West. The venue, which is around double the size of the previous facility, had its debut in 2022, hosting a pair of well-attended meets, in the Spring and Fall, and once again will be the launching pad for the 2023 NSA Season on March 25.

Mullins, an Aiken resident, is also an NSA owner, longtime polo player, and a member of the U.S. Polo Association and Aiken Polo Club. Before becoming president of the Aiken Steeplechase Association, he was a board member.

The post James Stierhoff, Frank Mullins Appointed To Board Of National Steeplechase Association appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Ricardo Martinez, who has become an integral part of the Kieron Magee barn, is the 2022 Backstretch Worker of the Year for Pimlico Race Course given his dedication to the stable's horses.

Martinez, a 38-year-old native of Mexico, came to Maryland in 2007 and worked for trainer Ferris Allen at Laurel Park for a year. He then moved to the Magee barn, and has been a groom there since that time.

Martinez said he worked with horses in his native Mexico, and was involved with horses that participated in match races in his home country. He indicated he appreciates working for the Magee stable, which races in Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia.

“Everybody works as a team here,” Martinez said. “What I really like is bringing horses to the races and then watching them win. Then you know that all the hard work has paid off.”

Martinez said one of his favorite horses is Keep Your Distance, who won 21 races, 11 of them in Maryland, and earned more than $552,000 in her career.

Erin McElwee, a Thoroughbred owner with horses in the Magee barn, said the entire crew is pleased Martinez has been recognized for his contributions.

“He's like family to us,” McElwee said. “He had so much pride that night after he found out he had won this award. It's great to have grooms so particular and caring about our horses.”

The post ‘So Particular And Caring’: Ricardo Martinez Named 2022 Backstretch Worker Of The Year For Pimlico appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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