Jockeys
IRAD ORTIZ Jnr
If a jockey waved their whip towards the crowd after they secured 50 wins at a particular meet in the way that a cricketer acknowledges a half-century of runs, Irad Ortiz would have his celebration technique mastered by now.
The Puerto Rican rider has amazingly notched 50+ wins at every Saratoga summer meet since 2014 – unsurprisingly, he is the only rider to boast that statistic - and he has totalled seven leading jockey titles in the process. A chart-topping 59 successes over the eight-week programme in 2025 narrowly saw him fend off brother Jose Ortiz (55 wins) to yet again prove that he rides the dirt and turf courses here better than anyone.
Irad’s healthy relationships with top trainers Chad Brown, Todd Pletcher and Brad Cox puts a vast portion of the meet’s best equine performers at his mercy, but his unmatched success in maidens, claimers, and allowance races often proves to be the difference.
JOSE ORTIZ
Finishing runner-up to brother Irad in last year’s Saratoga riding title would have been expected but still tough to take for 32-year-old Jose Ortiz, who has undoubtedly ridden as well as any jockey based in the US in the last 12 months.
Following on from stellar meets at New York’s premier venue and the Fair Grounds, Ortiz has taken his level to new heights in 2026 with 19 Graded Stakes wins, which includes the Kentucky Derby, Kentucky Oaks, and Belmont Stakes. It is now difficult to argue that he shouldn’t be the man in most demand.
FLAVIEN PRAT
Winner of the Eclipse Award for Outstanding Jockey in both 2024 and 2025, Prat technically holds the status of ‘best jockey on offer’ in the US weighing room. However, splitting his time between Aqueduct and Churchill Downs hasn’t worked out particularly well over the last couple of months.
Returning to Saratoga will be a bit of a blessing for the Frenchman, who holds the record of winning a whopping 18 Stakes races at one meet during his summer spell here in 2025. Reaching that frankly ridiculous number again feels unlikely, but trainer Chad Brown will undoubtedly give him plenty of opportunities.
PACO LOPEZ
I debated ending the jockey’s segment after the three big names as it is highly likely that they will sprint clear in the title race. However, Paco Lopez warrants a short mention due to his excellent strike-rate when making the journey north from his standard summer base at Monmouth Park.
Since the start of 2024, Lopez has won on nine of his 27 rides at Saratoga’s summer meets, an impressive 33.33% strike-rate. When his name is on the racecard, it is usually worth taking note.
Trainers
CHAD BROWN
Born in Mechanicville, just a handful of miles from Saratoga racetrack, Brown has always been keen to succeed at his local venue. With an incredible eight top trainer titles to his name from 2016 to 2025, it’s fair to say that he has achieved his goal.
Only Hall-Of-Famer Todd Pletcher has stopped him from clean sweeping the last decade by narrowly beating him by one win in 2017 and four wins in 2020. Brown is as tough to beat at Saratoga meets as Aidan O’Brien at Royal Ascot, largely due to the strength in depth that he possesses across the turf divisions.
Expect to see Brown mob-handed in Saratoga biggest grass races, while a handful of dirt victories will most likely bolster his score.
LINDA RICE
Claiming races at Saratoga are worth more than almost any other venue, exponentially more in some instances. As a result, some of New York’s most established trainers opt for a modus operandi of picking horses up for cheap in places like Kentucky and Florida ahead of the summer shindig with the aim of cashing in.
Linda Rice would be right towards the top of that list. Her success at Saratoga last summer was notable - 24 winners from 129 runners with almost $1.5million in prize money amassed - and she has been busy in the claiming ranks over the last couple of months. Expect to see a repeat display.
WILL WALDEN
Rising to the top takes time, but 36-year-old Walden is already beginning to make a significant impact with his runners across the country. His ever-growing team now features a number of potential stakes horses, which includes Belmont Derby and Saratoga Derby hopeful West End Kid, while his unraced juveniles boast enviable pedigrees.
Walden struck at 21% at this meet last year with limited runners (4/19), and a big step forward is likely 12 months on.
MIGUEL CLEMENT
Taking over from your Hall-Of-Fame father can’t be easy, but Miguel Clement has done a great job in continuing the legacy of his prestigious family name. Stablestar Deterministic has already provided Clement with three Grade 1 victories, the latter coming in a course record time in the Manhattan Stakes in June, while Tawny Port, Bellezza, Far Bridge and several others have recorded their own Graded successes.
Clement has only tallied 38 winners so far in 2026, but the plan has reportedly always been to peak at Saratoga this summer. Another top-level victory may be on the horizon.
