Driver Jose Ortiz, who was involved in an ugly trash dump at the end of the first race at Racecourse Saratoga On July 21, he returned to Spa backstretch on July 23, but he said he most likely won’t be in another race until July 26.
Ortiz was unable to sit still at the end of the 5 1/2 race on the main track when his mount Old fear fell at the end of the race, throwing Ortiz to the ground. He was diagnosed with a bruised rib after being taken to Albany Medical Center by ambulance, 30 miles from Saratoga.
“I feel fine. Pain, but good,” Ortiz said. “I’m just taking it daily. Every day I feel a little better, but I’m still in a lot of pain.”
Same Old Fears, trained and owned by Wesley Ward, was unharmed.
Ortiz actually did some work Sunday when he rode for coach Jonathan Thomas on the Oklahoma training ground.
He said he watched Friday’s replay of the race, which was originally scored 5 1/2 on Mellon Lawn but was moved to the main track because it rained overnight.
“I want to see how I land,” he said. “Of course, it could have been much worse. I’m so happy to be home and see my family.”
Going into the Saratoga card on July 23, Ortiz was tied in second place with Luis Saez with eight riding wins. They are chasing Irad Ortiz, Jr., who has a huge lead with 19 wins. He won five races on July 22 after winning four on July 21.
