Irad Ortiz, Jr., who only recently returned from a 30-day suspension, will be sidelined 3-4 weeks with a knee fracture, according to a tweet from Daily Racing Form's Marty McGee.
The three-time reigning Eclipse Award-winning jockey was given 30 days for separate riding infractions at Aqueduct Dec. 3 and 4 and returned to the saddle at Gulfstream Park Thursday, Jan. 6. Ortiz, Jr. was aboard Shea On a Mission (Mission Impazible) in Hallandale Jan. 7 and was injured when the 4-year-old filly became fractious in the gates. He took off his remaining two mounts Thursday and was ultimately forced to forego his mounts for Friday and Saturday as well.
Should he remain sidelined through the end of January, Ortiz, Jr. would miss the Pegasus World Cup meeting Jan. 29, at which he was booked to ride 'TDN Rising Star' and GI Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile hero Life Is Good (Into Mischief).
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