“I Thought I Cracked a Rib or Something”: With a Whopping $226,714,384 in Career Earnings, Jockey Rides Through Pain to Take Three Victories at Prestigious Race Track

Champions always overcome adversity. Sports tell us countless tales of how victory is often achieved through pain. One jockey at the prestigious Saratoga race track lived a similar tale. Before he put in a magnificent equestrian display at Saratoga, Jose Ortiz had a brush with a potentially serious injury. The unfortunate incident occurred during Friday’s first race when Ortiz’s horse clipped heels, unseating the jockey and sending him crashing hard to the ground.

He was immediately rushed to Albany Medical Center. Diagnosis revealed bruised ribs, prompting him to take a much-needed break on Saturday and Sunday. However, Ortiz was determined to restart once more as the third week of Saratoga commenced.

Ortiz’s equestrian brilliance through pain

After a difficult start, Jose Ortiz returned with a bang at Saratoga. His triumph saw him skillfully guiding three of his five mounts to victory. All three wins came under the tutelage of leading trainer Linda Rice. He scored aboard Ichiban (Street Sense) in the sixth race, Amanda’s Folly (Mendelssohn) in the eighth, and Indian Mischief (Into Mischief) in the tenth. Though Indian Mischief faced scrutiny for potential interference with the runner-up, He’s a Lucky Guy (Street Boss), the stewards upheld the result, cementing Ortiz’s victorious comeback.

Ortiz’s success at Saratoga this summer has been nothing short of exceptional. He boasts an impressive 11 victories so far. In fact, eight of Rice’s 13 winners were ridden by the talented jockey. This alone is a powerful testament to their extraordinary partnership. Their brilliance extended to the spring meet at Belmont Park as well, where they reigned supreme as the leading jockey and trainer, further solidifying their status as a dynamic duo within the racing world. According to a Thoroughbred Daily News report, after an impressive run at Saratoga, Ortiz said, “I was feeling a lot of pain when I left here, so I thought I cracked a rib or something.” However, Ortiz was not the only one who had a brush with a potential injury, as another famed rider escaped injury.

Velazquez was shaken up but escaped injury

Legendary Hall of Fame jockey, John Velazquez, narrowly dodged a serious injury at Saratoga. Similar to Ortiz, the 51-year-old rider’s mount, Love Thyself, crashed through the temporary rail of the Mellon Turf Course. This resulted in Velazquez being unseated shortly after the start of the third race. The 2012 Hall of Famer was thoroughly evaluated by Dr. Richard Alfred at the esteemed Bone and Joint Center of the Capital Region. Despite the harrowing ordeal, an x-ray report unveiled no fractures or serious injuries, providing much-needed reassurance to John Velazquez.

Read more: With a Mere $57,545 in Career Earnings and Just $9000 in 2023, 4-Year-Old Horse Remains the Top Pick for Prestigious Equestrian Venue

As Jose Ortiz returned to the racing scene, his heartfelt gratitude for being back in action was evident. While the risks of the sport remain ever-present, Ortiz’s winning mindset and his passion for the sport embody the essence of what it means to be a true equestrian warrior.

Watch this story: After a Freak Accident Left Him in the Dirt, Equestrian Worth $45,000,000 Diagnosed With ‘Non Critical’ Fracture in His Neck