Those amazing Ortiz's...

When it comes to summer racing at Saratoga, the best jockeys in the world converge on "The Graveyard of Favorites" to go head-to-head. 

In horse-racing, the names Javier Castellano and John Velazquez are usually associated with the best horses, top trainers and meet championships. 

Move over, J and J. The brothers Ortiz are gaining on ya. 

Irad Ortiz, Jr and Jose Ortiz ride the New York circuit. Belmont, Aqueduct and Saratoga. They don't stray from it very often. NYRA provides all-year racing and three tracks with three distinct and different makeups. 

A look at the jockey standings at Saratoga through Sunday show this: 

Irad Ortiz, Jr.          43 wins
Jose Ortiz               41 wins
Javier Castellano     34 wins
John Velazquez       33 wins

The hierarchy is changing. 


I did a test Sunday. I decided to bet $2 across the board ($12 a race) on the brothers Ortiz. They gathered five wins, three places and five shows between them. They returned a total of $122.90. Jose didn't ride in three of the races and Irad did not ride in one race. So, I bet $108. I got back a $14.90 profit. 

No handicapping, no touts or thought. Just punched the number of the horse in the races they rode across the board.

As handicappers, we look for angles. One I will consider is including both of them in any exactas, trifectas, Pick 3 or Pick 4 wagers I bet. 

I will follow the Ortiz's when they leave Saratoga and go back to Belmont. At Aqueduct, too. It would be interesting to see how the results turned out if you put the Ortiz's, Johnny V and Javier in each Pick 3 or 4 wagered. 

My guess is you would turn a profit over the course of a meet. 

Will we ever see the Ortiz brothers at Churchill other than Derby Week, Breeders Cup or Stephen Foster Day? My guess is probably not very often, if at all, and definitely not on any regualr basis. The jockey colony at CD is pretty strong...with Albarado, Leparoux, Lanerie, Borel, Court, Hernandez, Jr., Geroux and Santana (among others). 

Why cross the road when the pasture is fine where you are, right? They have a solid base of New York trainers that they get plenty of mounts from and they do well with them. 

A favorite quote of mine is: 

"You're cruisin' for a bruisin' if you don't use Asmussen."  

Here's a new one:

"For results that please, include the Ortiz." 

paulie
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