Jacobson, Ortiz Earn Titles at Aqueduct
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Trainer David Jacobson and jockey Jose Ortiz opened up decisive early leads and cruised to the finish line to win their respective titles as the inner track meet came to a close on Saturday, March 28 at Aqueduct Racetrack.
Jacobson continued his dominance of the inner track with 37 winners from 144 starters at the stand, good for a 25.6% win rate. Known primarily for his work with claiming horses, Jacobson's tally was aided by standout sprinter Salutos Amigos, who earned victories in the Tom Fool Handicap (gr. III), Toboggan (gr. III), and Gravesend at the meet.
Linda Rice finished in second with 25 winners from 135 starts, while Gary Gullo earned third-place honors with 23 wins from 80 starts.
Sitting atop the jockey standings with 77 wins, Ortiz won his first-ever meet title on the New York Racing Association circuit, besting his older brother Irad, who checked in second. Jose Ortiz sparkled in inner track stakes races, scoring victories in the Stymie (Turco Bravo), Caixa Eletronica (Doubledown Again), Sis City (Pebble Beach Baby), Cicada (Noble and a Beauty), Jimmy Winkfield (Ackeret), and Hollie Hughes (Captain Serious).
Irad Ortiz Jr. finished 10 wins behind his brother with 67, and Manuel Franco came in third with 58 winners.
Piling on to his inner-track success, Jacobson finished as leading owner at the stand with 16 victories, while Repole Stable and Michael Dubb dead-heated for second with 12 wins.