SHOCKING NEWS BEFORE BELMONT 2025: Flavien Prat declares ‘HILL ROAD UNDER IRAD ORTIZ JR. IS JUST A FOOL’ – BET on Baeza to solo at the top, bet on your career!
The calm before the storm at Belmont Park was shattered today when jockey Flavien Prat made an explosive public statement that has set the horse racing world ablaze. Just days before the 2025 Belmont Stakes, Prat didn’t hold back in a bombshell interview, calling out rival Irad Ortiz Jr. and delivering one of the most controversial soundbites in recent memory: “Hill Road under Irad Ortiz Jr. is just a fool. If you’re betting smart, you’re betting on Baeza – and on your own career.”
This dramatic outburst has stunned fans, shaken up betting odds, and triggered fierce debate among insiders. Prat, known for his precision and reserved demeanor on the track, unleashed a level of bluntness that few expected. The target of his ire, Irad Ortiz Jr., is one of the most successful jockeys of the past decade and is set to ride Hill Road, a rising star in the Belmont field. But according to Prat, the partnership between Ortiz and Hill Road is “all hype and no substance,” suggesting the duo won’t be able to deliver under pressure.
“I’ve seen this movie before,” Prat continued. “A horse with promise and a jockey who rides recklessly. It never ends well. The fans deserve better. The sport deserves better.”
Ortiz Jr. has yet to respond publicly, but sources close to his camp described the comments as “disrespectful” and “a cheap attempt to stir the pot.” Regardless, Prat’s statement has already shifted the mood heading into Belmont weekend. Tensions are boiling, and all eyes are now on how these jockeys will handle the pressure not just from the competition, but from this very public feud.
Meanwhile, Prat made it clear who he believes is the true rising force: Juan Baeza. The young Panamanian jockey has quickly become one of the most talked-about names in racing, with a string of smart, tactical wins and a growing fan base. “If you’re looking for the next great champion,” Prat said, “look no further than Baeza. That kid’s the future. He rides smart, rides clean, and rides like he wants to own this game.”
The ripple effects of this outburst are already being felt. Bettors are re-evaluating their picks, trainers are recalculating strategies, and race officials are reportedly watching the situation closely to ensure emotions don’t spill over onto the track. The Belmont Stakes was already shaping up to be a headline event, but now it has turned into a battleground not just of horses, but of pride, reputation, and legacy.
Whether Prat’s words were a bold truth or a dangerous provocation, one thing is certain – Belmont 2025 is no longer just about speed and stamina. It’s about mind games, rivalries, and making statements that could define a career. And as the gate draws near, fans everywhere are waiting to see which jockey backs up their words with victory – and which one gets left behind in the dust.
