Ortiz Jr. Returns From Injury June 17 at Belmont Park
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Photo: Bill Denver/Maryland Jockey Club
Irad Ortiz Jr. gives Chub Wagon a pat after their victory in the Skipat Stakes at Pimlico Race Course
Jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. will resume riding June 17 at Belmont Park, two weeks after he was injured when unseated in the fifth race there June 3.
The Eclipse Award-winning jockey of the last three years has four mounts Thursday. Three are for trainer Rob Atras—Bee Bit (Race 2), Kreesie (Race 3), and Trash Talker (Race 4)—followed a couple of hours later by Ice Princess (Race 8) for trainer Danny Gargan. The jockey has another five mounts June 18.
"I am pleased to be back riding this Thursday at Belmont Park. Thank you for all the well wishes," Ortiz tweeted June 15.
Ortiz suffered minor injuries when falling to the main track from Klaravich Stables' Equal Pay , a first-time starter who took several awkward steps in early stretch of a 6 1/2-furlong maiden race June 3. The Chad Brown trainee soon regained her action and completed the race without her jockey.
An emergency medical crew took Ortiz to a nearby hospital, where CT scans and X-rays were negative, according to his agent Steve Rushing. The rider needed stitches on his head and left arm.
His injuries came at an unfortunate time, costing him numerous stakes mounts during the week of the Belmont Stakes Presented by NYRA Bets (G1). A number of those mounts were victorious under substitute riders. His scheduled ride in the Belmont, Known Agenda , finished fourth under his brother, Jose.