They Said He Couldn’t Win—But Irad Ortiz Jr. Won 5 Stakes in a Row at Saratoga and Made Horse Racing History

In a sport where unpredictability reigns supreme, Irad Ortiz Jr. just did the unthinkable at Saratoga. They said he couldn’t win—not because he lacked talent, but because no jockey in recent memory has dominated stakes races at this level, in this fashion, at one of the toughest meets in the world. Yet here we are: Irad Ortiz Jr. has just etched his name into horse racing history by winning five consecutive stakes races at Saratoga, a feat that’s sending shockwaves through the racing world.

The streak began quietly but quickly picked up momentum. Ortiz started his Saratoga assault by capturing the Shuvee Stakes, partnering with Leslie’s Rose, a filly trained by Todd Pletcher. Despite whispers that Ortiz wasn’t fully fit—he had been nursing a minor muscle strain after a tense Belmont meet—he pushed through the pain barrier and delivered a flawless ride. That win was supposed to be a one-off. But then came the Alfred G. Vanderbilt Handicap, where Ortiz stormed home aboard Elite Power, shutting down his rivals in the final furlong with surgical precision.

By the time he entered the Coaching Club American Oaks, fans and analysts alike started noticing a pattern. It wasn’t just about Ortiz winning races—it was how he was winning them. Each ride showcased a different skill set: patience, aggression, tactical awareness, and ice-cold decision-making. On Just F Y I, Ortiz bided his time before pouncing late, leaving competitors scratching their heads. Some called it luck. Others began whispering about history in the making.

Then came the Honorable Miss Stakes, where Ortiz piloted Dazzling Move in a gutsy front-running ride, holding off a late charge from the favorite. At that point, Saratoga wasn’t just talking about Ortiz—they were obsessed with him. Pundits scrambled to find the last time a jockey had dominated like this. The answer? It hadn’t happened in decades, certainly not at Saratoga, where stakes races are notoriously unpredictable.

With four straight stakes wins under his belt, Ortiz faced perhaps his toughest test yet in the Caress Stakes. The field was loaded, the pace scenario was tricky, and the weather added another variable with sudden rain softening the turf. But Ortiz, once again, delivered. He timed his move perfectly, sneaking up the rail to steal victory in the final strides. The grandstand erupted. The whispers stopped. The verdict was in: Irad Ortiz Jr. wasn’t just on a hot streak—he was making history.

Social media exploded within minutes of the finish. Fans flooded Twitter and Facebook with hashtags like #Irad5, #SaratogaKing, and #HistoryMade. Trainers and owners publicly praised Ortiz, with Todd Pletcher calling him “the most complete jockey in America right now.” Even rival jockeys like Flavien Prat and Joel Rosario joined in the chorus of respect, acknowledging the sheer brilliance of his performances.

What makes this streak even more remarkable is the pressure cooker environment of Saratoga. Known as the “Graveyard of Favorites,” it’s the place where stars often fall, not rise. For Ortiz to string together five consecutive stakes wins at this venue is unprecedented in modern racing.

As Ortiz prepares for the upcoming Jim Dandy Stakes and possibly the Travers Stakes, the question isn’t whether he can win again—it’s who can stop him. Right now, Irad Ortiz Jr. is not just riding horses; he’s riding straight into the annals of racing legend.