Irad Ortiz returns from injury Saturday at Gulfstream Park

Jockey Irad Ortiz Jr., who suffered a knee injury during a starting gate mishap earlier this month, is set to return to the irons on Saturday. The three-time reigning Eclipse Award-winning jockey is scheduled to ride three races at Gulfstream Park, including the $75,000 Sunshine Turf aboard Max K.O for trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. 

Ortiz was injured on Dec. 7 when his mount, Shea On a Mission, got fractious in the starting gate prior to the seventh race. The initial diagnosis was Ortiz had a fractured knee and would miss up to four weeks. However, a follow-up examination downgraded the injury to a contusion and shortened the recovery time, according to a report Wednesday in Daily Racing Form. 

If Saturday's return goes smoothly, trainer Todd Pletcher confirmed to Horse Racing Nation that Ortiz would retain his mounts aboard Life Is Good in the Pegasus World Cup (G1) and Colonel Liam in the Pegasus World Cup Turf (G1) a week from Saturday. 

Prior to being injured, Ortiz had just returned from a 30-day suspension for a reckless ride in New York. He is again a finalist for the Eclipse Award as outstanding jockey for 2021 after posting 336 wins and $29,274,435 in purse earnings.