Jockey Irad Ortiz, Jr. has escaped serious injury after being thrown from Mindframe during Sunday’s Jockey Club Gold Cup at Saratoga, his agent Steve Rushing confirmed.
Ortiz was transported to Albany Medical Center for evaluation following the incident in the Grade I stakes race. While medical tests were still being completed as of Sunday evening, early assessments were encouraging.
“It looks like he escaped serious injury,” Rushing told reporters via text message around 7:30 p.m. “We are still waiting on one more test.”
Rushing later confirmed the jockey had been medically cleared to ride. “We will see how he’s feeling in the morning,” he added.
The incident occurred shortly after the start of the prestigious race when Phileas Fogg (Astern {Aus}) veered inward at the break, triggering a chain reaction among inside horses. After being dislodged from Mindframe (Constitution), Ortiz briefly landed on the back of White Abarrio (Race Day) before falling to the track.
Flavien Prat, piloting trailing favorite Sierra Leone (Gun Runner), was forced to swerve to avoid the fallen rider.
Look at the athleticism of these incredible jockeys. God Bless you Irad Ortiz. Hope you are ok. Mindframe. Sierra Leone. Antiquarian. pic.twitter.com/ibxg1S7oZ2
— The Sports Machine with Slim (@sportsmachineNH)Look at the athleticism of these incredible jockeys. God Bless you Irad Ortiz. Hope you are ok. Mindframe. Sierra Leone. Antiquarian. pic.twitter.com/ibxg1S7oZ2
— The Sports Machine with Slim (@sportsmachineNH) August 31, 2025
Ortiz, a multiple Eclipse Award-winning jockey, has been among the sport’s elite riders for several years. His status for upcoming mounts will likely be determined Monday morning based on how he recovers overnight.
The Jockey Club Gold Cup is one of Saratoga’s signature events and serves as an important prep race for the Breeders’ Cup Classic.
Look at the athleticism of these incredible jockeys. God Bless you Irad Ortiz. Hope you are ok. Mindframe. Sierra Leone. Antiquarian. pic.twitter.com/ibxg1S7oZ2
— The Sports Machine with Slim (@sportsmachineNH)
Look at the athleticism of these incredible jockeys. God Bless you Irad Ortiz. Hope you are ok. Mindframe. Sierra Leone. Antiquarian. pic.twitter.com/ibxg1S7oZ2
— The Sports Machine with Slim (@sportsmachineNH) August 31, 2025
