Jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. can add one other vital milestone to his résumé by turning into the primary rider to guide Gulfstream Park‘s Championship Meet rider standings for a sixth season.
Gulfstream’s 2024-25 Championship Meet, the nation’s premiere winter racing vacation spot, opens its 85-day stand Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 28, providing a complete of 66 stakes, 30 graded, price $15.025 million in purses highlighted by the $3 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes (G1) and $1 million Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational Stakes (G1T) Jan. 25 and $1 million Florida Derby (G1) March 29.
Ortiz is the two-time defending driving champion and has received 5 of the final six titles courting again to 2018-19, his second full winter at Gulfstream. Since 1939, the one different jockey to guide the Championship Meet standings 5 occasions is Corridor of Famer Javier Castellano, who did it 5 straight years from 2011-12 to 2015-16.
“I did not know that. That might be wonderful,” Ortiz stated. “It will be nice if we might win one other title. I really like driving there. I like to win titles. I like to experience each type of race after I’m there. It will be very particular. I am positively going to attempt to make it occur. I will work onerous and hopefully all people helps me to get it executed.”
Ortiz will get an early begin to his winter marketing campaign with six mounts on the Nov. 22 program to kick off the ultimate weekend of Gulfstream’s fall Sunshine Meet highlighted by the return of White Abarrio , who he rode to victory within the 2023 Breeders’ Cup Traditional (G1), in race 7. He’s additionally named in 9 races each Nov. 23 and Nov. 24.
“I’m excited to be again. I like to experience at Gulfstream. I am unable to wait to get there. I am in all probability going to ship for some races on huge days, however I am trying ahead to the winter,” Ortiz stated. “New York is dwelling for me, however to be trustworthy after I’m at Gulfstream there isn’t a separation for me. It appears like dwelling.”
Aside from 2021-22, when he missed time with damage and suspension, Ortiz has received a minimum of 101 races each winter at Gulfstream topped by a track-record 140 in 2020-21. He has averaged 117 wins on the Championship Meet, placing him on observe for one more main achievement—1,000 Gulfstream wins.
“I have been having enormous assist from all people down there and I respect that. I am getting huge possibilities,” Ortiz stated. “Trainers and homeowners belief me they usually’ve been supporting me the previous couple of years, and I take pleasure in it. It is nice racing, (and) the individuals on the racetrack are wonderful.”
Represented by agent Steve Dashing, Ortiz is within the midst of one other spectacular season, rating first total in wins (276) and second in purses earned ($30.96 million) behind Flavien Prat. He has led North America in wins and purse earnings yearly since 2018 besides 2021, when he was second in cash received.
“It has been an important 12 months. We bought the 4,000 wins. We tied for the lead at Kentucky Downs and I received the meet at Keeneland for the primary time. It has been wonderful,” Ortiz stated. “It has been an important experience. The trainers and homeowners they assist me and my agent does an incredible job. He does his job and I do mine. I attempt to do my finest on the market each time for positive. I really like driving. I really like driving it doesn’t matter what type of horse or race I’ve. I all the time attempt to give my finest.”
This press launch has been edited for content material and elegance by BloodHorse Employees.
