Jockey Irad Ortiz, Jr., who was thrown from Mindframe (Constitution) shortly after the start of the GI Jockey Club Gold Cup Sunday at Saratoga, escaped serious injury in the incident, according to his agent, Steve Rushing.
Ortiz was sent to Albany Medical Center for evaluation, and while tests were not completed, the signs were postiive at 7:30 p.m. Sunday night.
“It looks like he escaped serious injury,” Rushing texted Sunday evening. “We are still waiting on one more test.”
“He is cleared to ride,” said Rushing. “We will see how he's feeling in the morning.”
Ortiz was dislodged from his mount after Phileas Fogg (Astern {Aus}) veered inward at the start of the race, causing a chain reaction with the horses to his inside. After being knocked off Mindframe, Ortiz briefly ended up on the back of White Abarrio (Race Day) just to his outside before falling to the track. Flavien Prat, aboard trailing favorite Sierra Leone (Gun Runner) swerved in an attempt 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) August 31, 2025
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