“It’s not surprising, the success he has accomplished, because he’s so devoted,” Dominguez said. The need for those conversations has diminished. Ortiz used to regularly consult retired great Ramon Dominguez for advice. If he continues to improve for a few more years, it’s scary how good he will be.” But he said, “Typically, I don’t feel riders reach their peak until their early to mid-30’s. Steve Rushing, his veteran agent, struggles to pinpoint any skills that might need to be honed. I’ve been riding for 11 years now, so I feel really, really prepared. “I think I have some room for improvement, honestly,” he said. In fact, he is the first to make that argument. Since the inception of the Shoemaker Award in 2003, the late Garrett Gomez (2007-2008) and Smith (2012-2013) were the only other riders able to string together consecutive honors before Irad Jr.’s four-peat.Īnd it can be argued that Ortiz, Jr. Consider that Mike Smith’s Juvenile triumph aboard Corniche extended his Breeders’ Cup record to 27 wins – at age 56. – IRC.His latest successes - with Twilight Gleaming (IRE) (Juvenile Turf), Golden Pal (Turf Sprint) and Life Is Good (Dirt Mile) - hiked his Breeders’ Cup victory total to 14. More about the 2022 Royal Ascot to follow. “She’s coming over the Queen Mary and we’re really excited about her.” Ward said: “The guy that gives the figures at Keeneland really didn’t want to give her a figure because he was sort of unsure thinking ‘how could she run that fast?’. Love Reigns made a huge impression on her Keeneland debut and is well fancied to provide her trainer with a fifth Queen Mary success. Ward’s quintet is completed by a pair of two-year-olds in Love Reigns and Seismic Spirit, who are bound for the Queen Mary and Windsor Castle Stakes respectively. “She came back and won a Listed Stakes race here at Keeneland, so she’s two from three, and I’m hoping she’ll go there and run a big race.” She shot right to the lead and then faded in the last part of the race,” said Ward. “She’s a very nice filly who won on her two-year-old debut last year and went over to Ascot for the Windsor Castle. Golden Pal’s stablemate Campanelle is already a dual Royal Ascot winner, having won the Queen Mary two years ago and claimed the Commonwealth Cup last year. She will bid to make it a hat-trick in the Platinum Jubilee Stakes, with Ward particularly enthused about her chances following her final workout at Keeneland on Sunday morning.Īnother filly returning to Ascot is Ruthin, who disappointed in the Windsor Castle 12 months ago but better is expected in the Palace of Holyroodhouse Stakes. has steered to successive Breeders’ Cup wins. Ward’s main contender this year is Golden Pal in the King’s Stand Stakes on Tuesday, the top sprinter Ortiz jr. POTENT TRIO: Ortiz jr., Wesley Ward and Golden Pal. He’s put a lot of work in for me early in the mornings and he’s so excited to get over to Ascot.” “He’s the man of the moment here in the States, that’s for sure. He’s won all over in America and he’s just a phenomenal rider who rides with extreme patience. “He’s a great kid and rode Acapulco for me a few years back when she finished second in the Nunthorpe at York (in 2015). He said: “Frankie is my man and I love him, but Irad is swinging right now in the States – he’s the hottest rider in America. after using Dettori and John Velasquez in the past.
Ward, the first American trainer to saddle a Royal Ascot winner, Strike The Tiger in 2009, has switched to Ortiz, jr. Last December he was given a rare 30-day ban after causing a rival jockey to fall off his horse. He was fined $1,000 last year for punching rival Paco Lopez three times in the face after a heated race at Gulfstream Park. They probably won’t be looking for trouble either, because Ortiz jr.
But history shows that riders of such X-factor talent hold their own wherever they go, and with immediate effect, so they eyes of fellow-jocks and racegoers will be on him, no doubt.
doesn’t have near enough experience on tracks outside of the US, he hasn’t travelled much.
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