As of Sept 1, 2025 (late morning ET): Irad Ortiz Jr. is sore but OK after yesterday’s scary start to the Jockey Club Gold Cup at Saratoga. Imaging at Albany Medical Center came back negative for serious injury, and he took off his Closing Day mounts to rest. The current plan is to target a return this Thursday at Kentucky Downs, assuming he feels right.

What’s next

We’ll watch entries and his book; if he returns as planned, he’ll jump straight into one of the most lucrative turf meets of the year.

Photo credits: https://x.com/SKIPSCAM