Jockey Ortiz Jr. Sidelined With COVID-19 Positive

The realities of the COVID-19 pandemic have hit home for Eclipse Award-winning jockey Irad Ortiz Jr.

The champion jockey in 2018 and 2019 received a positive result from a COVID-19 test taken Sept. 28 and as a result will have to self-quarantine for 10 days and cannot resume riding at Belmont Park until Oct. 8.

Steve Rushing, Ortiz' agent, said the 28-year-old rider was feeling well and is displaying no symptoms of the coronavirus.

"He feels good, which is the important thing," Rushing said. "The doctor said this test has a high accuracy rate, and Irad was shocked at the result. He told me, 'I feel fine,' but the doctor said that's the problem with these young athletes. They are in such good shape and are young, so their system fights it off and they don't feel anything. The crazy year continues."

Ortiz is serving a 10-day suspension through Oct. 3, so if he gets a negative result when he's tested again, he will miss only one day of mounts at Belmont Park, which is open Thursdays through Sundays during the fall meet.

Ortiz leads all jockeys in 2020 in wins (234) and earnings ($14.7 million).

In his career, Ortiz has 2,652 wins with earnings of $193.2 million.

The news was first reported by Daily Racing Form's Dave Grening via Twitter.