Jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. Placed On Hold Following Ankle Injury

Irad Ortiz, Jr., who holds the record for most victories among jockeys of the past decade, was told by his agent on Friday, August 21, that he is “off until further notice.” This announcement came the day before he was slated to ride 1‑2‑favourite Counting Stars in the G1 Alabama Stakes, valued at $600,000.

Ortiz has remained sidelined since August 8, when a left‑ankle injury occurred in an on‑trace incident prior to the seventh race that day.

According to his agent, Steve Rushing, Ortiz quickly settled on a horse Friday for trainer Brad Cox and immediately noted that he felt “uncomfortable; too painful.”

Younger brother José Ortiz, the rider behind Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes winners Golden Tempo, has stepped in as Irad’s replacement on Counting Stars, whose coach is Hall of Fame trainer Mark Casse.

Will Irad Ortiz, Jr. Ride Renegade in the Travers?

A weekend away, the G1 Travers Stakes draws attention, and Irad is set as the regular rider on Renegade, a contender linked to the Derby and winner of the Jim Dandy Stakes. Both Renegade and Golden Tempo are entered, so a possible jockey substitution for Renegade could shift the morning‑line betting outlook.

Ortiz was slated to see a physician on Saturday, during which time he confirmed his continued absence after extensive work with Coach Cox. Earlier in the week he appeared in contracts for two horses for Cox on Saturday and added four others on Sunday, including Onebigbeautflbill in the $200,000 Albany Stakes.

Ortiz, a five‑time Eclipse Award winner, was pursuing his eighth Saratoga racing title and a fifth consecutive one. Through Thursday, August 20, he held the fourth highest winning tally with 30 victories, behind his brother José’s 59, Manny Franco’s 47 and Flavien Prat’s 43.

The United States Racing team comprises full‑time and part‑time writers with specialized knowledge across every facet of the sport.

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