Klaravich, Brown, Jose Ortiz Take 2021 NYRA Titles

Chad Brown won his seventh consecutive New York Racing Association year-end training title with 140 wins while Jose Ortiz compiled his third riding crown with 185 victories as racing in 2021 was capped with the conclusion of the card Dec. 31.

Klaravich Stables retained the title as top owner, racking up 55 wins, seven more than the next-closest competitor, Michael Dubb, to finish as the leading owner for the third straight year at NYRA tracks, which include Belmont Park, Saratoga Race Course, and Aqueduct Racetrack.

Brown compiled a 140-104-91 record with 565 starters. He won four individual meets, leading the way at the Aqueduct spring, Belmont spring, Saratoga summer, and Belmont fall meets.

"First and foremost, it's a credit to the hard work of my dedicated team and so many people contributing, including a loyal, patient group of owners that supplied our team with a steady supply of talented horses all year—and, of course, all the horses in all different categories and levels giving so many fine efforts," Brown said.

The four-time Eclipse Award-winning trainer racked up earnings of more than $14.8 million while winning more than 24% of the time. Brown's starters finished on the board at a 59% clip.

The 43-year-old Brown has paced NYRA trainers on every NYRA year-end standings list since 2015. 

Brown shared his appreciation for his longtime partnership with the influential Klaravich Stables, headed by Seth Klarman.

"Mr. Klarman is our largest account and he's a terrific client and friend. He's been in the game a long time and built up quite a stable. His silks are now recognized around the world," Brown said.

Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher finished second behind Brown with 100 wins, 12 clear of third-place Rudy Rodriguez.

Jose Ortiz entered the final card of 2021 in a tie for most wins with his brother, Irad Ortiz Jr., but guided Untreated to victory in race 6, a one-turn mile allowance optional claiming tilt, to edge clear and secure the year-end title outright. Ortiz Jr. missed riding for a good portion of this month due to a 30-day careless riding suspension.

Jose Ortiz finished with a record of 185-143-135 from 913 starts, compiling purse earnings in excess of $15.2 million.

"It feels great. This is what we work for every day," said Ortiz, who earned Eclipse Award honors as the nation's outstanding jockey in 2017. "I couldn't have done it by myself. I want to thank all the owners and trainers that gave me opportunities and my agent (Jimmy Riccio Jr.) who does a great job."

Ortiz Jr. finished second with 184 wins, one clear of Manny Franco in third place.

Luis Cardenas, who became a journeyman in late May, was the leading apprentice on the NYRA circuit in 2021 with 30 wins. 

Klaravich Stables won four NYRA individual meets in 2021, leading the way at the Belmont spring, Saratoga summer, Belmont fall, and Aqueduct fall meets.

In total, Klaravich Stables sent out 207 starters, going 55-28-41, winning at nearly a 27% clip, while racking up circuit-best earnings of more than $5 million in the process. Klaravich Stables won nine graded races in 2021 on the NYRA circuit, including grade 1s with the Brown-trained Search Results  and Domestic Spending . 

Dubb's 48 wins were second-most on the circuit with Repole Stable finishing third with 34 wins.