There is an ESPY winner on the basis at Racecourse Saratoga July 21st.
Jockey Jose Ortiz smiled as he talked about winning his second ESPY, announced July 20 by the American broadcast television network (ABC) and ESPN.
Ortiz was named Best Horseman, even though his award was not part of the two-hour live TV show, which was held in Los Angeles.
“It’s great to win it,” Ortiz said while making his rounds on the back bench on July 21. “I have two of them now.”
The Best ESPY Jockey award began in 1994. Ortiz won the first prize in 2018 and is now a two-time winner alongside Victor Espinoza (2014, 2015) and Jerry Bailey (1996, 1997). Calvin Borel, who received the award in 2007, 2009 and 2010, is the only three-time winner.
Ortiz said he believes the award is given to riders who perform well in the Triple Crown. Ortiz won the Preakness Stakes (G1) with Vote early 2nd place in Belmont Bets presented by NYRA Bets (G1) with Nest , and fourth place in the Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) with Simplify .
Ortiz said of ESPY: “I knew I was going to have a good shot at it.
He said he didn’t find out he had won the award until the morning after the telecast. Ortiz said he was not told he had won. He also said that he doesn’t watch any shows. You know early in the morning at the Spa.
“My mother is watching,” he said with a smile. “I said, ‘Have a good time. Good night.”
The other playboys who took part in the ESPY show – fan voting decided the winner – were his brothers, Irad, Joel Rosario and Flavien Prat. All are based in Saratoga this summer.
