Irad Ortiz Jr. receives 3-day suspension after Breeders’ Cup

Jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. has been suspended for three racing days after an incident of careless riding in a race at Aqueduct on Oct. 22.

According to the ruling dated Sunday from the New York State gaming commission Ortiz waived appeal and will serve his suspension on the three Aqueduct race days following the Breeders' Cup. It begins Sunday and continues Nov. 9 and Nov. 10. Ortiz's suspension was previously reported by T. D. Thornton of Thoroughbred Daily News.

In the third race at Aqueduct on Oct. 22, a 6 1/2-furlong dirt sprint for $12,500 claimers, Ortiz rode Mister J T for owner-trainer Bruce Levine. According to the Equibase chart, Mister J T "was under a hold behind a wall of rivals slugging it out on the front nearing the eighth pole, opted to tip out bulling his way out by bumping Striking Speed twice and nearly forcing that rival to clip heels to make a lane for himself at that station." After getting through, Ortiz rode Mister J T clear to win by 3 1/4 lengths over favored Mr Phil.

Striking Speed weakened to finish seventh and last, 9 1/4 lengths behind Mister J T. Stewards made an inquiry into the stretch run before making the race official, but allowed the result to stand.

This is the third careless riding suspension that Ortiz has received in New York this year. Ortiz was suspended three days for careless riding in a race June 11 at Belmont. He then served another three-day suspension for careless riding in a race July 27 at Saratoga.