Jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. suffers ankle fracture at Keeneland

Five-time Eclipse Award winner Irad Ortiz Jr. suffered a serious fall during the ninth race at Keeneland on Thursday, October 22. The incident occurred at the start of a 1,700-meter dirt race when the two-year-old filly, She’s Good Trouble, lost control, causing Ortiz Jr. to be thrown and struck by the horse.

According to agent Steve Rushing and journalist David Grening, Ortiz Jr. sustained a fracture in his left ankle and will require surgery. This injury reaggravates a previous left ankle injury that sidelined him for two months following an incident at Saratoga in August.

The injury will force Ortiz Jr. to miss the upcoming Breeders’ Cup World Championships, scheduled for October 30 and 31 at Keeneland. This setback occurs while he is leading the current circuit, having recorded 228 victories this season with earnings exceeding $28 million.