Saratoga 2023: Jockeys to watch

By Jarrod Horak

The 2023 Saratoga thoroughbred meet kicks off on Thursday, July 13 and I will be covering much of the action for the Digest this summer. Keep checking this spot for articles and videos. In this post, I will cover the riders to watch at the Spa. 

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2022 Leading Riders (wins): Irad Ortiz Jr. (55), Flavien Prat (41), Luis Saez (41), Joel Rosario (39), Jose Ortiz (36) 

2021 Leading Riders (wins): Luis Saez (64), Irad Ortiz Jr. (56), Jose Ortiz (51), Joel Rosario (43), Ricardo Santana Jr. (35)

2022 Top Money Earning Riders: Irad Ortiz Jr. ($7,213,226), Joel Rosario ($5,880,462), Jose Ortiz ($4,308,836), Flavien Prat ($4,255,476), Luis Saez ($4,200,259)

2021 Top Money Earning Riders: Luis Saez ($6,233,519), Irad Ortiz Jr. ($6,144,673), Joel Rosario ($5,331,965), Jose Ortiz ($4,935,372), Ricardo Santana Jr. ($4,122,471)

2022 Highest In the Money Percentage: Irad Ortiz Jr. (55%), Flavien Prat (52%), Joel Rosario (48%)

2021 Highest In the Money Percentage: Irad Ortiz Jr. (54%), Jose Ortiz (50%), Joel Rosario (48%) 

Top 3 Jockeys to Watch at Saratoga in 2023

Javier Castellano – The resurgent rider picked up his first Kentucky Derby win aboard Mage this year, and also guided home Arcangelo to secure his first Belmont Stakes victory. He is currently third in the money standings at Belmont and was seventh in the rider standings at the Spa. He used to put up big numbers at Saratoga. From 2010-16, he had the most wins twice and was the leading money earner on five occasions.

Jose Ortiz – He has been overshadowed by his brother Irad recently, but he seems to be back in top form. He is currently in a tie with his aforementioned brother at Belmont with 51 wins. He was one of the Top 5 riders at the Spa since 2014 and was the leader in 2016 (65 wins), 2017 (58 wins) and 2019 (60 wins). 

Flavien Prat – Finished in a tie for second in the rider standings at Saratoga last year with 41 wins, and that was his first full summer riding at the Spa. He is currently one of the Top 5 riders at Belmont. That meet is still going and he just booted home five winners on the Fourth of July.