Jockey Jose Ortiz Returns From Saudi Arabia
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Photo:
Joe Labozzetta/NYRA
Jose Ortiz could have been forgiven for looking a little tired on Sunday afternoon, having returned from a whirlwind trip to Saudi Arabia just hours before legging up for his riding assignments on the day's card at Aqueduct. Visibly invigorated by the experience, the energetic 22-year-old little signs of fatigue in the jock's room between races.
Ortiz flew to King Abdulaziz Race Course in Riyadh earlier this week after accepting an invitation to ride Group 1 winner Leeman in the Group 1 King Abdulaziz Cup, the jockey's first race overseas.
"It was great," Ortiz said of the experience. "The trip was good, long but good. The royal family treated me well. It was pretty cool.
"I finished second, my stablemate beat me actually," he continued. "There were 13 in the race. My horse ran good. The prince was happy, everyone was happy. I rode a few other races when I was there and I won earlier that day. It was a great experience for me, I look forward to going again."
Ortiz said that Leeman, a 3-year-old colt by Northern Afleet, was going to be under consideration for the UAE Derby on the Dubai World Cup undercard at Meydan based on his performance in the King Abdulaziz Cup, a mount-of-a-lifetime for Ortiz.
"They said if he won or finished second, they're planning on running in the UAE Derby in Dubai," he said. "If he goes, I'd really like to ride over there. I want to ride everywhere: Ascot, Australia, Dubai. I've already got Saudi, and I might get to go to Dubai next month, which would be really great."
Ortiz, who was closed last weekend atop the jockey standings with four more wins than his older brother Irad, got back to winner's circle in short order, scoring with his second mount of the day aboard Rockford ($9.60) in the third race.
Ortiz flew to King Abdulaziz Race Course in Riyadh earlier this week after accepting an invitation to ride Group 1 winner Leeman in the Group 1 King Abdulaziz Cup, the jockey's first race overseas.
"It was great," Ortiz said of the experience. "The trip was good, long but good. The royal family treated me well. It was pretty cool.
"I finished second, my stablemate beat me actually," he continued. "There were 13 in the race. My horse ran good. The prince was happy, everyone was happy. I rode a few other races when I was there and I won earlier that day. It was a great experience for me, I look forward to going again."
Ortiz said that Leeman, a 3-year-old colt by Northern Afleet, was going to be under consideration for the UAE Derby on the Dubai World Cup undercard at Meydan based on his performance in the King Abdulaziz Cup, a mount-of-a-lifetime for Ortiz.
"They said if he won or finished second, they're planning on running in the UAE Derby in Dubai," he said. "If he goes, I'd really like to ride over there. I want to ride everywhere: Ascot, Australia, Dubai. I've already got Saudi, and I might get to go to Dubai next month, which would be really great."
Ortiz, who was closed last weekend atop the jockey standings with four more wins than his older brother Irad, got back to winner's circle in short order, scoring with his second mount of the day aboard Rockford ($9.60) in the third race.
* * *
Jockey Jackie Davis, daughter of retired rider-turned-trainer Robbie Davis, picked up her 500th career victory aboard fan favorite Jeter in Saturday's third race at Aqueduct. The victory was serendipitous for Davis, who earned her first career win at the Big A in 2008.
Raised with regular visits to the Big A, Davis was extremely happy with the accomplishment, adding that she hadn't kept close track of her win totals and wasn't aware she was nearing the milestone.
"The horse did everything I asked him to do," said Davis, sister to fellow New York-based jockeys Dylan and Katie. "He's a 7-year-old and knows his way around there. I didn't even know I was that close until a couple of my friends pointed it out to me. It's amazing. This is home for me, so it's a great. I look back and it's a lot of hard work and I can't wait to see what's to come."
Source: NYRA Communications
Source: NYRA Communications
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