Irad Ortiz Jr. Posts Five-Win Day at Aqueduct

Jockey Irad Ortiz Jr., the leading rider at the Big A fall meet, rode five winners from seven mounts on the Nov. 11 Veterans Day card at Aqueduct Racetrack, including a sweep of the Late Pick 3.

Oritz was recently named the winner of the 17th Bill Shoemaker Award, given annually to the most outstanding jockey at the Breeders' Cup World Championships, where he won the Longines Breeders' Cup Classic aboard Vino Rosso . Monday Ortiz enjoyed his first five-win day since accomplishing the feat July 31 at Saratoga Race Course.

The rider picked up his first of two wins for trainer Chad Brown on Monday's card when he guided first-time starter Customerexperience to victory in the day's second race for owner Klaravich Stables. Trainer Linda Rice claimed the 2-year-old Cairo Prince  filly for $75,000 in the six-furlong event.

In Race 6, Ortiz propelled Willing to Speed to a rallying score in a 1 1/16-mile claiming tilt for trainer John Kimmel and owner Unadilla Stable.

He added a second score for Brown capturing a nine-furlong maiden route with Paul Pompa Jr.'s Country Grammer, a 2-year-old colt by Tonalist , to kick off the Late Pick 3 in Race 8.

In Race 9, Classic Lady carried Ortiz to a sharp score in a 1 1/16-mile inner turf test for trainer Jorge Abreu and owners Michael Dubb and Bethlehem Stables. The jockey completed his sweep of the card's final three races with Newtown Anner Stud Farm's Pins and Needles in the day's finale for trainer Kelsey Danner. 

The all Ortiz Late Pick 3 (7-3-5) returned $183 for a $1 ticket. He increased his leading win total to 13 for the fall meet.