Ortiz Jr., Brown, Dubb take year-end NYRA titles

by NYRA Press Office

Irad Ortiz, Jr. earned his second consecutive riding title on the New York Racing Association circuit,  with Mechanicville, N.Y. native Chad Brown taking his first ever year-end training title.

 Ortiz, 23, won 281 races in 2015 at Belmont Park, Saratoga Race Course and Aqueduct Racetrack with earnings of $19,159,036. He rode 12 graded stakes winners in New York, including Grade 1 victories aboard Lady Eli in the Belmont Oaks, Slumber in the Manhattan, Cavorting in the Test, and Stephanie's Kitten in the Flower Bowl Invitational. His younger brother, Jose, was runner-up for the second straight year, finishing with 237 winners worth $15,477,257. Javier Castellano was third with 174 winners and $16,623,038 in purses earned.

 Brown, 37, had a banner year in New York, saddling 131 winners of $12,766,542, including Grade 1 victories in the Belmont Oaks with Lady Eli, the Manhattan with Slumber, the Joe Hirsch Turf Classic with Big Blue Kitten and the Flower Bowl with Stephanie's Kitten. Nationally, Brown won 203 races worth more than $20 million, including Breeders' Cup wins in the Filly & Mare Turf with Stephanie's Kitten and the Filly & Mare Sprint with Wavell Avenue.

 Todd Pletcher finished second on the New York circuit with 123 winners of $12,086,440. David Jacobson was third with 89 winners of $4,677,923.

 Michael Dubb's 58 winners put him atop the owner standings for the fourth time, having previously won in 2014, 2012 and 2010.