Ortiz Involved in Scary Spill at Belmont

Jockey Irad Ortiz, Jr. was taken to North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset after being involved in a spill in the eighth race on Wednesday at Belmont Park.

In the race, Ortiz's mount, #3 Roses for Romney, was racing in fourth approaching the sixteenth pole when she clipped heels and fell, unseating her rider. #1A Ear D' Rhythm and #7 Violet Hour, who were racing behind Roses for Romney, also fell in the chain-reaction incident.

Cornelio Velasquez and John Velazquez, the respective riders of Ear D' Rhythm and Violet Hour, were taken to first aid, where they were cleared to ride. Neither jockey had a mount in race 9, the lone remaining race on the card.

Roses for Romney suffered a fatal injury in the incident, according to Dr. Anthony Verderosa, chief examining veterinarian for The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA). Ear D' Rhythm and Violet Hour ran loose before they were apprehended.