Ortiz Dominates Churchill Spring Meet with 63 Wins

Jose Ortiz closed a sensational Spring Meet at Churchill Downs by officially clinching the riding title with 63 wins from 243 mounts, totaling more than $5.6 million in earnings. It marked Ortiz's second straight Spring Meet crown beneath the twin spires and first outright after tying Tyler Gaffalione in 2024. Ortiz pulled away from his competition during the final week of the 43-day meet, finishing well clear of Luis Saez (47 wins) and Brian Hernandez Jr. (39). "I'm very happy, I feel great, my body feels great. That's the main thing," Ortiz told BloodHorse. "I think I pass that to the horse and ride with confidence. I've gotten a lot of experience in the last 14 years, and I think everything is coming together now. I'm young, but I have 14 years of experience, and I think that helps a lot. I'm getting better and better, and the main thing is to get better every day." Trainer Joe Sharp secured his first Churchill Downs training title with 20 wins from 120 starters, amassing more than $1.5 million in earnings. Sharp held off eight-time champion Brad Cox (18 wins) and Hall of Famer Steve Asmussen (17) during a tightly contested final week. In the owner standings, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum's Godolphin claimed their fourth Churchill Downs title—and second straight—with 10 wins from 29 starters and more than $5.2 million in earnings. The powerhouse stable's Spring Meet was highlighted by Sovereignty's victory in the Kentucky Derby (G1) and Good Cheer's win in the Kentucky Oaks (G1). Thoroughbred racing in Kentucky shifts west to Ellis Park in Henderson for the 25-day summer season that begins July 3. Racing at Churchill Downs will resume Sept. 11 for the 14-day September Meet.