Ortiz gets 5-day ban for careless riding at Royal Ascot

Irad Ortiz Jr. has been banned for five days for careless riding  at Royal Ascot.

The violation occurred in the Group 2 Queen Mary, where Ortiz was riding Love Reigns, a 2-year-old filly trained by Wesley Ward. The news was reported earlier by The Racing Post.

Love Reigns broke quickly and took the advantage, according to the report, but was headed with a furlong to travel before being narrowly denied for third by Maria Branwell.

Stewards deemed that Ortiz allowed Love Reigns to drift left shortly after the start, forcing Katey Kontent to move from her intended path.

The race comes after Tuesday's rough start aboard heavy favorite Golden Pal in the King's Stand (G1). Ortiz was looking at another horse, Ward told The Racing Post, and "almost fell off" when the gate opened. Ortiz took Golden Pal near the lead, but he ended up finished last.

According to the British Horse Racing Authority, the suspension begins June 29, so Ortiz was allowed to keep his three additional mounts for Ward at Royal Ascot: Seismic Spirit in the Windsor Castle on Wednesday (where he finished 23rd of 24), Ruthin in the Palace of Holyroodhouse on Friday, and Campanelle in the Platinum Jubilee (G1), also on Friday.