Ortiz Jr. Lands First Churchill Downs Riding Title

Jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. has quickly made a mark on the Kentucky horse racing circuit since shifting his tack from New York. The 33-year-old native of Puerto Rico secured his first Churchill Downs leading rider title with 46 wins through the 26-day Fall Meet, the most since Julien Leparoux won 63 races during the 2008 stand. "It's been very successful since moving to Kentucky," Ortiz said. "It's been great to be able to ride for so many new owners and trainers. I'm very thankful for everyone who's helped us get to where we are." Represented by Steve Rushing, Ortiz' most notable wins at the Fall Meet included Further Ado in the Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes (G2); Alpine Princess in the Falls City Stakes (G3); On Time Girl in the Fern Creek Stakes; and Life of Joy in the Rags to Riches Stakes. Ortiz won five races twice during the Fall Meet: Nov. 12 and Saturday's Stars of Tomorrow II card. Ortiz' brother, Jose Ortiz, was second in the standings with 37 wins. Tyler Gaffalione and Luis Saez tied for third with 28. Brad Cox notched his 10th Churchill Downs title with 21 wins, marking his first Fall Meet training title since 2017. Cox, a 45-year-old Louisville native, had a monumental Nov. 29 with five wins from eight starters. He joined Steve Asmussen as the only two horsemen to achieve that feat since Churchill Downs records have been documented since 1991. Asmussen won with five of seven starters on Thanksgiving Day in 2021. Cox also became the eighth all-time leading trainer at Churchill Downs when Further Ado gave him win No. 500 and, one race later, Cannoneer delivered win No. 501. Cox teamed with Irad Ortiz Jr. to win 18 of his 22 races, including four stakes: Further Ado in the Kentucky Jockey Club; Alpine Princess in the Falls City; On Time Girl in the Fern Creek; and Life of Joy in the Rags to Riches. Cox's local assistants are Katie Tolbert, Trace Messina, and Bryson Cox. Brendan Walsh was second in the standings with 14 wins, followed by Joe Sharp with 13 and Steve Asmussen with 12. Godolphin was the leading owner at Churchill Downs for the fifth time with seven wins. Their wins at the meet included Bella Ballerina in the Golden Rod Stakes (G2) and six allowance victories. David Jacobson and the partnership of Paradise Farms and David Staudacher tied for second with five wins. Racing on the Kentucky circuit will shift north to Turfway Park in Florence Dec. 3 at 5:55 p.m. (all times Eastern) on a Wednesday-Saturday schedule for the Holiday Meet (Dec. 3-27) and Winter/Spring Meet (Jan. 1-March 28). The first day of the 2026 Spring Meet at Churchill Downs is April 25, which kicks off Kentucky Derby Week festivities. The 152nd running of the Kentucky Derby (G1) is set for May 2.