This decision came at the same time COVID-19 began its rage in the United States, and Ortiz thought it was best for him and Taylor and their two young children, Leilani and Derek Jose, to decamp to the quiet environs of Ocala. After three days of competing, however, Ortiz's wrist began nagging him, and he decided it needed more time to heal. 22 in a post parade accident at Gulfstream Park and was sidelined until March 14. Taylor's father, Wayne, and two brothers, Adam and Kevin, are also trainers, as was her late grandfather, Clyde Rice, the patriarch of this racing dynasty. Her aunt, Linda Rice, is one of New York's leading trainers. Taylor Rice, a former jockey, is part of the Rice family's long lineage of horsemen and horsewomen. Ortiz hasn't ridden in a race since March 18 and has been in Ocala ever since, living with his wife's family, who are among the heart and soul of Ocala's Thoroughbred community. “She’s one of the favorite horses I’ve had all time.Jose and Oscar Performance. The Maryland Jockey Club caught up with assistant trainer and exercise rider Jose Vargas to talk about the “talented, tough, tall” 5-year-old mare trained by Michael Stidham. Newtown Anner Stud and Mark Breen’s Saguaro Row, second in the Go for Wand (G2) and a winner of two of her last three starts, is the 9-5 favorite in Saturday’s Runhappy Fritchie. “I’ve never rode him before but he’s doing great, working good, so, hopefully, we’ll get it done,” he said. Ortiz is also looking forward to riding Dreams Untold, a John Servis-trained son of Smarty Jones who broke his maiden Jan.4 by 14 ¼ lengths Seven furlongs is in between, so I think he’ll be fine.” “He’s done a mile before and won and he’s won at six furlongs, so he can do either one. Ortiz has been aboard him in nine of his last 11 starts. Winner of the Champagne (G1) at 2 and the Dwyer (G3) at 3, Firenze Fire is 4-5 in the morning line. A winner of $1.6 million and nine of 23 starts, the Jason Servis-trained 5-year-old ended his 2019 campaign with wins in listed stakes at Aqueduct and Penn National after finishing fifth in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1). When asked about riding at Laurel, Ortiz said, “If you have the horse you’ll be alright.”įirenze Fire could be the horse in the seven-furlong General George. Ortiz has ridden only 15 times at Laurel, with one win, four seconds and three thirds, according to Equibase. That afternoon Ortiz finished second in the Miracle Wood, seventh in the Fritchie and second to Imperial Hint in the General George aboard Stallwalkin’ Dude. Ortiz’s last trip to Laurel was also on Fritchie-General George Day in 2017. Campbell with favorite and graded-stakes winner Monongahela, owned by Michael Dubb, Bethlehem Stables LLC and Gary Aisquith. Amore Stable’s Grade 1 winner Firenze Fire, Someday Farm’s promising 3-year-old Dreams Untold in the Miracle Wood, and in the $100,000 John B. Ortiz, named the country’s Eclipse champion in 20, will ride in five races, including the General George aboard Mt. first race post, will include the $250,000 Runhappy Barbara Fritchie (G3), $250,000 General George (G3) and three other stakes including the $100,000 Miracle Wood for 3-year-old colts and geldings But Ortiz, currently the leading rider at Gulfstream Park’s Championship Meet, will ride Saturday’s stakes-laden card. In fact, it’s been three years since the two-time Eclipse Award winning rider has visited Laurel. LAUREL, MD – Irad Ortiz Jr., the country’s leading rider, doesn’t make many trips to Laurel Park. Video: Vargas Talks “Talented, Tough” Saguaro Row
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