Leading jockey Irad Ortiz jnr handed 30-day ban after Aqueduct interference

Leading US jockey Irad Ortiz jnr has been banned for 30 days by New York stewards after he was disqualified from a race at Aqueduct on Friday due to dangerous interference.

The suspension is set to begin on December 7, with Ortiz jnr not intending to appeal against the decision after causing interference in the claiming race that led to jockey Omar Hernandez Moreno falling from his mount.

Ortiz jnr was riding the Orlando Noda-trained Gran Casique in the race over six and a half furlongs and moved sharply across from the centre of the track, cutting into the path of Hernandez Merono's mount Ragtime Blues and forcing the colt to bump the rail and unseat the apprentice jockey.

Despite holding the lead for much of the race following the incident, Gran Casique finished second by a length to Crea's Bklyn Law before a stewards' inquiry disqualified him from second and demoted him to last.

Both Hernandez Merono and Ragtime Blues escaped unscathed, with the jockey returning to his riding duties at the course the following day.

Three-time winner of the Eclipse Award for Outstanding Jockey, Ortiz jnr faced another stewards' inquiry on Saturday following his victory in the Grade 2 Remsen Stakes with Mo Donegal.

Trained by Todd Pletcher, the two-year-old made a bold charge down the homestretch to challenge leader Zandon, prompting Ortiz jnr to make exaggerated movements with the rein closest to the head of the rival before snatching victory by a nose.

The resulting stewards' inquiry determined the placings would remain unaltered, however, the Daily Racing Form reported that a New York state steward said the ride played a part in Ortiz's suspension, which was announced on Sunday.

The 29-year-old jockey was set to ride on Wednesday after claiming three Graded victories at the weekend to end Aqueduct's fall meeting as the leading rider with 21 winners.

Ortiz jnr claimed Grade 1 glory last month with Golden Pal at Del MarCredit: Edward Whitaker

Ortiz jnr is currently the leading jockey in North America this year with 333 wins, including earnings of over $29 million. He claimed three major victories at the Breeders' Cup meeting at Del Mar last month, including a triumph on Wesley Ward's star three-year-old colt Golden Pal in the Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint.

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