An aggressive ride that caused an apprentice jockey to fall off his horse Friday has put Irad Ortiz Jr. on a 30-day suspension by New York stewards, the Daily Racing Form confirmed Sunday night.
Ortiz was punished for his bold, inward move after the first 110 yards of a one-turn, 6 1/2-furlong claiming race on Aqueduct’s main track. A head-on replay of Friday’s eighth race showed Ortiz, riding Gran Casique, angling in several paths to make contact with Ragtime Blues, who was ridden along the rail by Omar Hernández Moreno.
It appeared Ortiz turned his head to look at Hernández Moreno, who fell to the track while Ragtime Blues kept running. Neither the fallen rider nor the horse was hurt badly.
Ortiz and Gran Casique were disqualified from their runner-up finish and placed last among the seven finishers.
The suspension covers 30 calendar days, according to DRF’s David Grening, who added that Ortiz is not appealing. Since he raced Sunday in his native Puerto Rico, Ortiz still has to confirm his acceptance of the suspension before the 30 days begin.
Stewards called Ortiz again to answer their inquiry and John Velázquez’s objection about his nose victory Saturday on Mo Donegal in the Remsen Stakes (G2), a points prep for the Kentucky Derby. Ortiz used a left-handed crop in the face of runner-up Zandon, with whom Mo Donegal made contact in the deep stretch. It took about 10 minutes before stewards let the result stand.
Ortiz and his agent Steve Rushing did not respond to Horse Racing Nation’s calls and texts seeking comment.
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The time has come for the racing stewards to be more vigilant and impose sanctions on jockeys who ride without a duty of care to fellow riders most especially in the vicinity of the round 4 fur
Yes, they should.
Irad Ortiz is a dirty jockey, proven fact last week before Friday he has two objections in different races, but he was not taken down, then Friday he fouled the apprentice Omar Moreno.
Also couple of years ago (Dubai World Cup) The Stewards and other racing authorities criticized Irad because what he did during the race that Maximum Security with Saez came first.
Great Jockey dirty rider.
He should pay the apprentice Hospital and recovery expenses, (The right thing to do)
Irad has had his issues and luckily the stewards have dealt with it.
Thanks for your comment