Jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. can add another significant milestone to his résumé by becoming the first rider to lead Gulfstream Park‘s Championship Meet rider standings for a sixth season.
Gulfstream’s 2024-25 Championship Meet, the country’s premiere winter racing destination, opens its 85-day stand Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 28, offering a total of 66 stakes, 30 graded, worth $15.025 million in purses highlighted by the $3 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes (G1) and $1 million Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational Stakes (G1T) Jan. 25 and $1 million Florida Derby (G1) March 29.
Ortiz is the two-time defending riding champion and has won five of the last six titles dating back to 2018-19, his second full winter at Gulfstream. Since 1939, the only other jockey to lead the Championship Meet standings five times is Hall of Famer Javier Castellano, who did it five straight years from 2011-12 to 2015-16.
“I didn’t know that. That would be amazing,” Ortiz said. “It would be great if we could win another title. I love riding there. I love to win titles. I love to ride every kind of race when I’m there. It would be very special. I’m definitely going to try to make it happen. I’m going to work hard and hopefully everybody helps me to get it done.”
Ortiz will get an early start to his winter campaign with six mounts on the Nov. 22 program to kick off the final weekend of Gulfstream’s fall Sunshine Meet highlighted by the return of White Abarrio , who he rode to victory in the 2023 Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1), in race 7. He is also named in nine races both Nov. 23 and Nov. 24.
“I am excited to be back. I love to ride at Gulfstream. I can’t wait to get there. I’m probably going to ship for some races on big days, but I’m looking forward to the winter,” Ortiz said. “New York is home for me, but to be honest when I’m at Gulfstream there is no separation for me. It feels like home.”
Except for 2021-22, when he missed time with injury and suspension, Ortiz has won at least 101 races every winter at Gulfstream topped by a track-record 140 in 2020-21. He has averaged 117 wins at the Championship Meet, putting him on track for yet another major achievement—1,000 Gulfstream wins.
“I’ve been having huge support from everybody down there and I appreciate that. I’m getting big chances,” Ortiz said. “Trainers and owners trust me and they’ve been supporting me the last few years, and I enjoy it. It’s great racing, (and) the people at the racetrack are amazing.”
Represented by agent Steve Rushing, Ortiz is in the midst of another spectacular season, ranking first overall in wins (276) and second in purses earned ($30.96 million) behind Flavien Prat. He has led North America in wins and purse earnings every year since 2018 except 2021, when he was second in money won.
“It’s been a great year. We got the 4,000 wins. We tied for the lead at Kentucky Downs and I won the meet at Keeneland for the first time. It’s been amazing,” Ortiz said. “It’s been a great ride. The trainers and owners they support me and my agent does an amazing job. He does his job and I do mine. I try to do my best out there every time for sure. I love riding. I love riding no matter what kind of horse or race I have. I always try to give my best.”
This press release has been edited for content and style by BloodHorse Staff.
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