Churchill Downs: Irad Ortiz and Brad Cox win meet titles
Irad Ortiz Jr. captured his first Churchill Downs leading rider title with 44 wins through 25 days of the 26-day fall meet, the most since Julien Leparoux won 63 races during the 2008 stand. The 33-year-old native of Puerto Rico shifted his tack from New York earlier this year.
"It's been successful since moving to Kentucky," Ortiz said. "It's been great to be able to ride for so many new owners and trainers. I'm thankful for everyone who's helped us get to where we are."
Represented by Steve Rushing, Ortiz's most notable wins at the fall meet included Further Ado in the $400,000 Kentucky Jockey Club (G2), Alpine Princess in the $400,000 Falls City (G3), On Time Girl in the $225,000 Fern Creek and Life of Joy in the $200,000 Rags to Riches.
Ortiz won five races twice during the fall meet: Nov. 12 and Saturday's Stars of Tomorrow II card.
José Ortiz finished second in the standings with 35 wins. Luis Saez (28), Tyler Gaffalione (27) and Axel Concepcion (10) rounded out the top five.
Cox secures 10th leading trainer crown
Brad Cox notched his 10th Churchill Downs title with 20 wins prior to Sunday's closing day program, his first fall meet training title since 2017.
Cox, a 45-year-old Louisville native, had a monumental Saturday with five wins from eight starters. He joined Steve Asmussen as the only trainers to achieve that feat since Churchill records have been documented since 1991. Asmussen won with five of seven starters on Thanksgiving Day in 2021.
Cox's starters on Saturday: Sticker Shock ($8.48), Kentucky Belle ($4.68), Swift Blade (ninth at 8.88-1), On Time Girl ($8.22), Kilo Tango (third at 4.16-1), Further Ado ($3.42), Life of Joy (fourth at 2.93-1) and Cannoneer ($5.54).
Cox became the eighth all-time leading trainer at Churchill when Further Ado gave him win No. 500. One race later, Cannoneer delivered win No. 501.
Cox teamed with Ortiz to win 17 of his 20 races, including four stakes: Further Ado in the Kentucky Jockey Club (G2), Alpine Princess in the Falls City (G3), On Time Girl in the Fern Creek and Life of Joy in the Rags to Riches.
Cox's local assistants are Katie Tolbert, Trace Messina and Bryson Cox.
Brendan Walsh finished second in the standings with 14 wins, followed by Asmussen (12), Joe Sharp (12), Brian Lynch (9) and Mike Maker (9).