The rider was fundamental for White Abarrio's victory in the Pegasus World Cup, both for the way he rode him and for the contribution he made beforehand to correct decisive details
By Diego H. Mitagstein
Currently, Irad Ortiz Jr. has established himself as the leading reference among jockeys in the United States, heading a generation of Latinos who are dominating the racing scene. At 32 years old, the Puerto Rican rider once again made headlines by winning the prestigious Pegasus World Cup (G1) for the third time, the first major event of the North American racing season, which was contested over 1800 meters on the dirt at Gulfstream Park as part of the Championship Meet.
Just like with Mucho Gusto (Mucho Macho Man) in 2020 and Life Is Good (Into Mischief) in 2022, Irad was a key factor in getting White Abarrio back to the forefront, not just during the race itself, but also in the lead-up, where he provided valuable insights to correct some minor issues the gray had been facing, undoubtedly giving him an edge at this elite level.
“It’s something special to win a Pegasus World Cup, such an important race, and to ride a horse of this quality. I’m grateful to God for the blessings and for starting the year off like this,” Irad stated in an interview with Carlos Morales on Agentes 305.
Analyzing the race, he added: “The horse won well after a long break from racing and a with a bad start. I thought that was something that could happen, but during the Mr. Prospector, it was the same thing, and I started to worry a lot more. I spoke with Saffie Joseph Jr., the trainer, who worked hard with him, and this time everything went perfectly. He never tends to come from behind, and the day he lost showed us he wanted to win. I was happy, but I was concerned about whether he would break well.”
“I only asked Saffie for a good start, and I told him that if that happened, we would be in the mix. And it proved to be true,” he commented on a crucial moment in his victory.
“We had a lot of confidence that everything would go well, and throughout the race, I felt like a winner. From the start, everything was easy, and I focused on helping him. I was watching Saudi Crown (Always Dreaming) because he’s a good horse, and I didn’t want to be far from him. At the 400 mark, I had a good feeling because I knew he had a lot left in the tank. When I urged him, he took off.”
What happened in those final 200 meters was astonishing, with White Abarrio pulling away with remarkable ease, showcasing his best form, the same that had allowed him to win the Florida Derby (G1), the Whitney Stakes (G1), and the Breeders' Cup Classic (G1).
“I never thought I would win so easily,” Irad confessed. “But breaking with the group helped him a lot. The time we lost, we gave away 5 lengths and lost narrowly to a great Mufasa (Practical Joke). Those differences were evident now that breaking with the group made a difference.”
A winner of the Eclipse Award in 2018, 2019, 2020, 2022, and 2023, and a frequent leader in the national rankings for races and earnings in the United States, Irad Ortiz Jr. knows that nothing would be the same without the support of his fans.
“The people who support me are an extra boost to everything we receive at home. The fans who want photos, the ones who cheer for us, no matter the race, push us to be better every day and give us strength to win. They are an extra push to want to give our best every day and feel good on the track,” he shared as a parting thought.
Irad Ortiz Jr. did it again, contributing to the victory at the time of the competition, but also to the entire lead-up, proving that often, races are won in the week leading up to them...
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