Jockeys Irad Ortiz Jr. and Jose Ortiz will serve suspensions Aug. 9-11 for careless riding. Both suspensions arise from separate incidents last week at Saratoga.
According to rulings published by the New York Gaming Commission, both riders waived their right to an appeal. The suspensions were previously reported by T. D. Thornton of Thoroughbred Daily News.
Jose Ortiz was suspended for his ride on Indian Mischief in Wednesday's 10th race at Saratoga, a $40,000 waiver maiden claimer for New York-bred at 1 1/16 miles on grass. Jose Ortiz urged him left-handed in upper stretch as He's a Lucky Guy ranged up to his outside. Indian Mischief drifted out into He's a Lucky Guy's path, hitting that foe with his hindquarters and causing him to check back. Indian Mischief crossed the wire 1 1/2 lengths in front of second place He's a Lucky Guy. Stewards made no change in the finish order after an inquiry.
Irad Ortiz Jr. was suspended for his ride on Eyes On Target in Thursday's seventh race at Saratoga, a 1 1/16-mile turf race for open $25,000 claimers. He was boxed in behind the leading pair into the final furlong and interfered with a pair of horses as he came out for room. Eyes on Target rallied to cross the wire a neck in front but was disqualified and placed eighth after a claim of foul from the rider of Tartini, the lowest-placed of the horses he impeded.
Irad Ortiz leads all riders at Saratoga with 22 wins in 124 starts. That includes four graded-stakes wins, including a victory in the Alfred G. Vanderbilt Handicap (G1) with Elite Power. Jose Ortiz currently ranks third with 15 wins from 73 starts; he still seeks his first stakes win of the meet.
The suspensions cover Wednesday through Friday. Four stakes races are scheduled for the term of their suspensions, all of which are restricted to New York-bred. They will be able to return on Aug. 12, the day of the Fourstardave (G1).
