Jose Ortiz will miss Ky. Downs starts after positive COVID test

By Carolyn Greer
Photo: Eclipse Sportswire

Jockey Jose Ortiz has tested positive for COVID-19 and will miss his scheduled mounts at Kentucky Downs.

His agent, Jimmy Riccio, told Horse Racing Nation Wednesday that Ortiz "tested positive for it yesterday. And he's feeling good, but he's off the rest of the week."

Click here for Kentucky Downs entries and results.

Marty McGee of the Daily Racing Form first reported the news in a social media post Wednesday.

Ortiz rode in seven races on Monday at Kentucky Downs, picking up three second-place finishes, after wrapping up at Saratoga on Sunday. For the Spa meet, he finished in third place in the jockey standings, with 51 wins.

In Saturday's graded stakes, Ortiz was slated to ride Breakpoint in the Kentucky Turf Cup (G2), Chewing Gum in the Kentucky Downs Turf Sprint (G3) and Gogo Shoes in the Kentucky Downs Ladies Spring (G3).

Riccio said he expects that Ortiz will be able to return for Belmont's fall meet, which begins next Thursdsay.

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