Jockey Ortiz Taken to Hospital After Spill
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Jockey Irad Ortiz, Jr. was taken to North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset, N.Y., and later released after being involved in a spill in the eighth race June 25 at Belmont Park.
The rider was released later in the evening after tests revealed no fractures, according to sources at the hospital.
In the race, Ortiz's mount, Roses for Romney, was racing in fourth approaching the sixteenth pole when she clipped heels and fell, unseating her rider. Ear D' Rhythm and Violet Hour, who were racing behind Roses for Romney, also fell in the chain-reaction incident.
Cornelio Velasquez and John Velazquez, the respective riders of Ear D' Rhythm and Violet Hour, were taken to first aid, where they were cleared to ride. Neither jockey had a mount in race nine, the final race on the card.
Roses for Romney suffered a fatal injury in the incident, according to Dr. Anthony Verderosa, chief examining veterinarian for the New York Racing Association. Ear D' Rhythm and Violet Hour ran loose before they were apprehended.
Tokyo Time, ridden by Javier Castellano for trainer Shug McGaughey, won the $77,000 allowance feature.