Join now & win money today! Get Started

Irad Ortiz, Jr. to Ride Renegade in the Derby

---

In what was no doubt a difficult decision, jockey Irad Ortiz, Jr. has committed to riding GI Arkansas Derby winner Renegade (Into Mischief) in the GI Kentucky Derby. Ortiz was also the regular rider of GI Blue Grass Stakes winner and ‘TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard’ Further Ado (Gun Runner). It’s possible that the two will be, in some order, the first and second choices in the Derby.

The news on Ortiz’s pick, as well as other jockey commitments made to other key Derby contenders, was first reported by the Daily Racing Form‘s David Grening.

“It’s always great having Irad ride any of my horses,” Mike Repole, who is the co-owner of Renegade, said via text. “He is one of the best riders today. He knows Renegade really well, especially after winning back-to-back stakes on him this year.”

Renegade, who is trained by Todd Pletcher, also won the Sam F. Davis Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs this year. Repole owns the colt along with Robert and Lawana Low.

Ortiz’s move left Brad Cox and Spendthrift Farm needing a rider for Further Ado. The connections have picked up the services of Hall of Famer John Velazquez. Cox also needed a rider for GI Florida Derby winner Commandment (Into Mischief), who is owned by Wathnan Racing. He has lined up Luis Saez for that mount. Commandment was ridden by Flavien Prat in the Florida Derby, but Prat is sticking with GII Louisiana Derby winner and ‘TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard’ Emerging Market (Candy Ride ({Arg}) for trainer Chad Brown.

“Spendthrift was happy to lock in Johnny Velazquez for Further Ado,” Cox said via text. “That’s easy to understand given the amount of success they’ve had with him through the years. The same goes for Wathnan Racing and Luis Saez for Commandment.”

Cox still needs a rider for GIII Jeff Ruby Steaks winner Fulleffort (Liam’s Map), who was also ridden by Ortiz in his last start. He said he is still searching for a new jockey for that colt.

The post Irad Ortiz, Jr. to Ride Renegade in the Derby appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Parx Turf Renovation to Take About Four Weeks

---

Parx Racing has kicked off renovations to the Philadelphia-area oval’s turf course, a project that is expected to take approximately four weeks.

“We want to thank the horsemen and women for their collaboration and patience as we begin the process of renovating the turf course,” said Parx Chief Operating Officer Joe Wilson. “We expect this course will be held to the highest safety standards and we are looking forward to the return of turf racing here at Parx.”

The renovation began Wednesday, April 8 with the sod–provided by Tuckahoe Farms in Hammonton, New Jersey–being installed by Hummer Turfgrass System, Inc. of Manheim, Pennsylvania. Logan Freeman of C6 Turf Management, LLC, whose previous course work included Laurel, Pimlico, and Gulfstream Park, is overseeing the installation.

“Our horsemen deserve this, Pennsylvania Racing deserves this,” said Jeff Matty, the Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Thoroughbred Horseman’s Association (PTHA). “We are very much looking forward to this joint venture with Parx Racing Management giving us the ability to offer multiple racing surfaces to our horsemen, on top of the great programs already in place here at the PTHA.”

David Osojnak, the Director of Racing at Parx, added: “We are really looking forward to being able to card turf races again starting this fall and renewing top-quality turf racing at Parx.”

The post Parx Turf Renovation to Take About Four Weeks appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Irad Ortiz, Jr. to Ride Renegade in the Derby

---

In what was no doubt a difficult decision, jockey Irad Ortiz, Jr. has committed to riding GI Arkansas Derby winner Renegade (Into Mischief) in the GI Kentucky Derby. Ortiz was also the regular rider of GI Blue Grass Stakes winner and ‘TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard’ Further Ado (Gun Runner). It’s possible that the two will be, in some order, the first and second choices in the Derby.

The news on Ortiz’s pick, as well as other jockey commitments made to other key Derby contenders, was first reported by the Daily Racing Form‘s David Grening.

“It’s always great having Irad ride any of my horses,” Mike Repole, who is the co-owner of Renegade, said via text. “He is one of the best riders today. He knows Renegade really well, especially after winning back-to-back stakes on him this year.”

Renegade, who is trained by Todd Pletcher, also won the Sam F. Davis Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs this year. Repole owns the colt along with Robert and Lawana Low.

Ortiz’s move left Brad Cox and Spendthrift Farm needing a rider for Further Ado. The connections have picked up the services of Hall of Famer John Velazquez. Cox also needed a rider for GI Florida Derby winner Commandment (Into Mischief), who is owned by Wathnan Racing. He has lined up Luis Saez for that mount. Commandment was ridden by Flavien Prat in the Florida Derby, but Prat is sticking with GII Louisiana Derby winner and ‘TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard’ Emerging Market (Candy Ride ({Arg}) for trainer Chad Brown.

“Spendthrift was happy to lock in Johnny Velazquez for Further Ado,” Cox said via text. “That’s easy to understand given the amount of success they’ve had with him through the years. The same goes for Wathnan Racing and Luis Saez for Commandment.”

Cox still needs a rider for GIII Jeff Ruby Steaks winner Fulleffort (Liam’s Map), who was also ridden by Ortiz in his last start. He said he is still searching for a new jockey for that colt.

The post Irad Ortiz, Jr. to Ride Renegade in the Derby appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Parx Turf Renovation to Take About Four Weeks

---

Parx Racing has kicked off renovations to the Philadelphia-area oval’s turf course, a project that is expected to take approximately four weeks.

“We want to thank the horsemen and women for their collaboration and patience as we begin the process of renovating the turf course,” said Parx Chief Operating Officer Joe Wilson. “We expect this course will be held to the highest safety standards and we are looking forward to the return of turf racing here at Parx.”

The renovation began Wednesday, April 8 with the sod–provided by Tuckahoe Farms in Hammonton, New Jersey–being installed by Hummer Turfgrass System, Inc. of Manheim, Pennsylvania. Logan Freeman of C6 Turf Management, LLC, whose previous course work included Laurel, Pimlico, and Gulfstream Park, is overseeing the installation.

“Our horsemen deserve this, Pennsylvania Racing deserves this,” said Jeff Matty, the Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Thoroughbred Horseman’s Association (PTHA). “We are very much looking forward to this joint venture with Parx Racing Management giving us the ability to offer multiple racing surfaces to our horsemen, on top of the great programs already in place here at the PTHA.”

David Osojnak, the Director of Racing at Parx, added: “We are really looking forward to being able to card turf races again starting this fall and renewing top-quality turf racing at Parx.”

The post Parx Turf Renovation to Take About Four Weeks appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.