Ortiz Jr. Aims for More Caribbean Classic Success

Irad Ortiz Jr. has amassed a worldwide fan base while establishing himself as an elite jockey since arriving in the U.S. mainland from Puerto Rico in 2011, but the 26-year-old rider's talent and success have never been more celebrated than during the December 2017 Clasico Internacional del Caribe at Gulfstream Park.

Ortiz was a frequent visitor to the winner's circle, capturing three of the five stakes in the event held outside the Caribbean and Latin America for the first time. With each visit, his fans' reception became more and more boisterous.

"That was great. Winning those kind of races is very special to me because I grew up watching those races," he said. "A lot of Latin people came here to watch the races. They are big fans. They know me and all the jockeys. They were calling my name. It was very exciting."

Ortiz has mounts in all five races in the Dec. 8 Clasico Internacional del Caribe, which will be hosted by Gulfstream for a second time. His two most high-profile mounts will be Kukulkan, Mexico's Triple Crown champion who is undefeated in 13 starts, in the $300,000 Caribbean Classic; and Jala Jala, last year's Caribbean Classic winner, in the $100,000 Confraternity Caribbean Cup Stakes.

Jala Jala defeated the boys by nine lengths in the Caribbean Classic, a 1 1/8-mile stakes for 3-year-olds based in the Caribbean and Latin America. 

"That was big for me. Of all the races I watched in Puerto Rico, that race was very special to me," Ortiz said. 

The Mexican-bred daughter of Point Determined will face males again this year in the Copa Confraternidad del Caribe, a 1 1/4-mile event for older horses based in the Caribbean and Latin America.

"She's been doing it against the boys there again. She's been winning," Ortiz said. "She has a big heart. She's a nice filly."

Kukulkan, who is rated at 3-5 on the morning line, will provide his jockey with a solid chance for a repeat victory in the Clasico del Caribe.

"I galloped him (Thursday) morning. He felt good. He has a lot of class. It looks like he has a lot of talent," Ortiz said. "He can do anything. He wins from off the pace, he wins close to the pace, and he wins on the lead."

Ortiz also has mounts in the Invitational Cup Stakes (Mishegas), the Lady Caribbean Cup Stakes (Kutzamala), and the Caribbean Cup Speed Stakes (Tati).