Jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. Hurt Before Race at Saratoga: What Happened?

Published Saturday, August 8, 2026 • Updated 5:43 PM ET

The Big Picture

Imagine you’re getting ready for a big game, but right before it starts, you trip and twist your ankle. That’s basically what happened to Irad Ortiz Jr.—one of the best jockeys in horse racing—at Saratoga Race Course on Saturday.

Important Point
A jockey is the person who rides the horse during a race. They’re like the "driver" of a very fast, very strong animal.

What Happened, Step by Step

1. Race Day Preparation
   Ortiz was scheduled to ride in the 8th race at Saratoga on Saturday afternoon.

2. His Mount for the Race
   He was set to ride a 2-year-old colt named And The Runner Is (his dad was a famous racehorse named Oscar Performance).

3. The Incident
   Before the race even started—while horses and jockeys were getting ready at the starting gate—And The Runner Is acted up (got nervous or excited).

4. The Injury
   During this commotion, Ortiz injured his ankle.

5. Immediate Aftermath
   • Ortiz was taken to a local hospital for evaluation
   • And The Runner Is was scratched (removed from the race) as a safety precaution
   • Ortiz stepped down from all his remaining rides for the rest of the day

Meet the Horse: And The Runner Is

Important Point
"Scratched" doesn’t mean the horse got a boo-boo. It means the team decided not to run the horse—usually for safety or health reasons.

Why This Matters

• Irad Ortiz Jr. is a superstar jockey—think of him like the LeBron James or Lionel Messi of horse racing
• He’s won multiple Eclipse Awards (the "MVPs" of horse racing)
• When a top rider gets hurt, it affects:
  • The horses he was supposed to ride
  • The trainers and owners counting on him
  • The betting public (people who wager on races)
  • The racing schedule for the day

Photo from the Archives

Irad Ortiz Jr. riding Life Talk in the 2025 Demoiselle Stakes
Photo by Sarah Andrew

Summary

• Who: Irad Ortiz Jr., champion jockey
• What: Ankle injury during pre-race warm-up
• Where: Saratoga Race Course, New York
• When: Saturday, August 8, 2026 (before the 8th race)
• Why: His mount, And The Runner Is, acted up at the starting gate
• Result: Ortiz went to hospital; horse scratched; Ortiz’s other rides reassigned

FAQ: Your Questions Answered

1. Is Irad Ortiz Jr. going to be okay?

The article says he was taken to the hospital for evaluation. No further update was given, but the fact that he "took off his mounts" suggests doctors want him to rest. We’ll know more in the coming days.

2. What happens to the other horses he was supposed to ride?

Other jockeys will step in. This is normal in racing—jockeys get replaced due to injury, weight issues, or scheduling conflicts all the time.

3. Was the horse And The Runner Is hurt too?

The article doesn’t say the horse was injured—just that it "acted up." Being scratched was a precaution, meaning the trainer (Mark Casse) wanted to be extra safe.

4. How common are jockey injuries?

Unfortunately, fairly common. Jockeys ride 1,000+ pound animals at 30+ mph with very little protection. Ankle, collarbone, and concussion injuries happen regularly.

5. What’s a "maiden special weight" race?

It’s a race for horses that have never won a race before ("maidens"). "Special weight" means the racing office sets the weight each horse carries—there’s no claiming price (you can’t buy the horse out of the race).

Final Thought

Horse racing is thrilling, but it’s also a sport where split-second things can change everything. One moment you’re mounting up for a big race; the next, you’re in an ambulance. Here’s hoping Irad Ortiz Jr. has a speedy recovery and is back in the saddle soon!

Source: Thoroughbred Daily News (TDN) • Original article published August 8, 2026