Irad Ortiz Jr. Suspended Three Racing Days For Whittingham Ride

United (right) won the Charles Whittingham over Rockemperor (second from left), who was disqualified for drifting in and causing interference to Originaire (third from left)

Two-time Eclipse Award-winning rider Irad Ortiz Jr. has been suspended three racing days by stewards at Santa Anita for his ride aboard Rockemperor in Saturday’s Grade 2 Charles Whittingham Stakes at the Arcadia, Calif., track.

Rockemperor, the 11-10 favorite for trainer Chad Brown, finished second – beaten a nose by United – but was placed third for interfering with Originaire in the stretch of the 1 1/4-mile turf fixture. According to the Equibase chart footnote, Rockemperor “drifted in and bumped with Originaire nearing midstretch, bid three wide in deep stretch and bumped with that one again nearing the wire to just miss.”

Originaire finished a half-length behind Rockemperor, who was elevated to second place in the Whittingham.

The stewards ruling said the suspension resulted from Ortiz’ “failure to maintain a straight court in the stretch causing interference,” a violation of California Horse Racing Board rule No. 1699 (Riding Rules – Careless Riding).

The suspension begins May 31 and continues on June 5 and 6 (consecutive racing days at Santa Anita). Ortiz may ride in designated races during his suspension.

Ortiz, voted Eclipse Awards as outstanding jockey in 2018 and ’19, came to Santa Anita from Gulfstream Park for the Memorial Day holiday weekend and was named on eight mounts, including three for Brown in graded stakes. In addition to Rockemperor, he rode without Parole in Monday’s G1 Shoemaker Mile and Beautiful Lover in Monday’s G1 Gamely.

Ortiz is expected to return to his home base in New York to ride the Belmont Park meet, which opens June 3. Belmont will race June 3 through June 7 opening week and the June 6 card includes four graded stakes, led by the G1 Carter Handicap.

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