Jockey Ortiz Jr. to weigh options as Churchill Downs opens

With Hall of Famers John Velazquez and Javier Castellano already scheduled to ride this spring at Churchill Downs, a full condition book and jockey list released by the track evidenced potential for the colony to grow even stronger as racing resumes May 16.

Prominent additions to the list include the Florida-based Eclipse Award winner Irad Ortiz Jr., plus Gulfstream Park’s leading (Luis Saez) and second-leading (Tyler Gaffalione) riders.

Steve Rushing, agent for Ortiz Jr., said the two-time reigning Eclipse Award winner’s presence is “all dependent” on when the New York Racing Association is able to open its Belmont Park meet.

“If NYRA is going to open on May 22, 29, in that area, we’ll probably just stay at Gulfstream until New York opens,” Rushing said. “If it’s going to be much after that, then we’ll have to decide whether to go to Churchill or what we do. Nothing set in stone. If NYRA says they’ll open before the end of the month, we’ll just stay in Florida.”

Entering Friday, Ortiz Jr. had won on 17 of his 55 mounts at Gulfstream, continuing to return from a voluntary hiatus as a measure of protecting himself and his family during the coronavirus pandemic.

“He’s in a good place and he’s comfortable with all the protocols,” Rushing said. “As you can see, he came back pretty strong. He’s in a good place mentally and physically.”

The situation is similar for Saez, who’s now managed by former trainer Kiaran McLaughlin. Saez is expected to remain based at Gulfstream Park until Belmont Park opens.

From the west coast, jockeys Mike Smith and Drayden Van Dyke also appear to have Churchill as an option should Santa Anita not open next week as hoped. The top-four Oaklawn Park jockeys from that recently completed meet — Ricardo Santana Jr., Martin Garcia, Joe Talamo and David Cohen — are in the condition book as well.

Previously announced, Jose Ortiz and Joel Rosario are two other big names that plan to ride at Churchill, which will race through June 27. Corey Lanerie, a 19-time leading rider under the Twin Spires, is the local to beat atop the standings.

Churchill Downs will take entries Tuesday for its opening card next Saturday. Stakes action begins May 23 with races including the Matt Winn (G3) for 3-year-olds on the Kentucky Derby trail.

Horse Racing Nation’s Ryan Dickey contributed to this report.