Churchill Downs Closing Day Update: Irad Ortiz Jr. Wins First Churchill Downs Leading Rider Title; Top Trainer Cox Only Second to Saddle Five Winners in Day

Nov 30, 2025

Jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. has quickly made a mark on the Kentucky horse racing circuit since shifting his tack from New York. The 33-year-old native of Puerto Rico has secured his first Churchill Downs leading rider title with 44 wins through 25 days of the 26-day Fall Meet, the most since Julien Leparoux won 63 races during the 2008 stand.

“It’s been very successful since moving to Kentucky,” Ortiz said. “It’s been great to be able to ride for so many new owners and trainers. I’m very thankful for everyone who’s helped us get to where we are.”

Represented by Steve Rushing, Ortiz’ most notable wins at the Fall Meet included Further Ado in the $400,000 Kentucky Jockey Club (GII); Alpine Princess in the $400,000 Falls City (GIII); On Time Girl in the $225,000 Fern Creek; and Life of Joy in the $200,000 Rags to Riches.

Ortiz won five races twice during the Fall Meet: Nov. 12 and Saturday’s Stars of Tomorrow II card.

Ortiz’ brother, Jose Ortiz, was second in the standings with 35 wins. He was followed by Luis Saez (28), Tyler Gaffalione (27) and Axel Concepcion (10).

COX SECURES 10TH LEADING TRAINER CROWN, ONLY SECOND TO SADDLE FIVE WINNERS IN DAY – Brad Cox notched his 10th Churchill Downs title with 20 wins prior to Sunday’s closing day program. It marked his first Fall Meet training title since 2017.

Cox, a 45-year-old Louisville native, had a monumental Saturday with five wins from eight starters. He joined Steve Asmussen as the only two horsemen to achieve that feat since Churchill Downs records have been documented since 1991. Asmussen won with five of seven starters on Thanksgiving Day in 2021.

Cox’s starters on Saturday: Sticker Shock ($8.48), Kentucky Belle ($4.68), Swift Blade (9th at 8.88-1), On Time Girl ($8.22), Kilo Tango (3rd at 4.16-1), Further Ado ($3.42), Life of Joy (4th at 2.93-1) and Cannoneer ($5.54).

Cox also became the eighth all-time leading trainer at Churchill Downs when Further Ado gave him win No. 500 and, one race later, Cannoneer delivered win No. 501.

Cox teamed with Irad Ortiz Jr. to win 17 of his 20 races, including four stakes: Further Ado in the $400,000 Kentucky Jockey Club (GII); Alpine Princess in the $400,000 Falls City (GIII); On Time Girl in the $225,000 Fern Creek; and Life of Joy in the $200,000 Rags to Riches.

Cox’s local assistants are Katie Tolbert, Trace Messina and Bryson Cox.

Brendan Walsh was second in the standings with 14 wins, followed by Steve Asmussen (12), Joe Sharp (12), Brian Lynch (9) and Mike Maker (9).

GODOLPHIN GUARANTEED FALL MEET LEADING OWNER TITLE BUT JACOBSON COULD SHARE – The race for the Fall Meet leading owner at Churchill Downs will come down to the final day Sunday with Godolphin guaranteed at least a share of the title. They entered closing day with a 7-5 advantage over David Jacobson. Godolphin had one starter in Race 11, while Jacobson had three entered across Races 8 and 12.

This would be Godolphin’s fifth leading owner title. Their wins at the meet included Bella Ballerina in the $400,000 Golden Rod (GII) and six allowance victories.

Should Jacobson win Races 8 and 12, it would mark his second leading owner title.

DERBY CITY 6 JACKPOT MANDATORY PAYOUT SUNDAY – Bettors have a lucrative $451,889 carryover in the Derby City 6 to chase Sunday at Churchill Downs for the 12-race closing day program.

There is a mandatory payout in Sunday’s 20-cent Derby City 6, which covers Races 7-12 starting at approximately 3:55 p.m. (all times Eastern) because it’s closing day of the 26-day Fall Meet.

The jackpot was $451,889 at the conclusion of Saturday’s action, and if last year is any indication, the pool could reach $2 million.

Last year’s Fall Meet final day featured a $240,017 carryover and the closing day pool grew to $1,512,730, which was more than six times the carryover. The winning combination in 2024 paid $7,489.54.

All monies will be distributed Sunday to ticket holders with the most winners in the six-race series.

Takeout on the Derby City 6 is just 15% – one of the lowest multi-race wager takeout rates in American racing – and only costs 20 cents per combination.

Sunday’s closing day sequence (with scratches as of 9 a.m.):

Race 7 (3:55 p.m.): MC 20000, 3&up, 7 F (12 entries)
Race 8 (4:25 p.m.): Clm 50000b, 3&up, 6 F (11 entries)
Race 9 (4:55 p.m.): OC 80000n2x, 3&up, 1 1/8 M (T) (15 entries, 12 can run)
Race 10 (5:25 p.m.): OC 100000n3x, 3&up, 7 F (14 entries, 12 can run)
Race 11 (5:54 p.m.): $250,000 Cherokee Mile, 3&up, 1 M (11 entries)
Race 12 (6:26 p.m.): Alw 127000n1x, 3&up, 1 M (11 entries)
Past performances are available at www.Brisnet.com. Fans can wager on the Derby City 6 on track at Churchill Downs; www.TwinSpires.com, the track’s official online wagering platform; other online wagering outlets; and select satellite betting centers throughout North America.

The first of 12 races at Churchill Downs on closing day is 1 p.m. and the final race is 6:26 p.m.

DOWN THE STRETCH – Pool 2 of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager and Sire Future Wager will close Sunday at 6 p.m. Through three days of wagering, “All Others Foaled in 2023” was the heavy 8-5 favorite. Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (GI) winner Ted Noffey was the individual 7-1 favorite. In the Sire Future Wager, Into Mischief and Gun Runner were tied for 4-1 favoritism followed by Not This Time at 5-1. For free past performances and more information, visit www.kentuckyderby.com/futurewager. … Kentucky Jockey Club winner Further Ado earned a 92 Brisnet Speed Rating for his determined 1 ¾-length victory Saturday. It was a six point regression from is 20-length maiden special weight romp on Oct. 10 at Keeneland. … Golden Rod winner Bella Ballerina earned a 91 Brisnet Speed Rating for her half-length victory on Saturday. … St Elias Stable and Stonestreet Stables’ Cannoneer earned a 100 Brisnet Speed Rating for his 7 ¼-length maiden special weight victory on Saturday. … Live racing in Kentucky will shift to Turfway Park on Wednesday for the Holiday Meet (Dec. 3-27) and the Winter/Spring Meet (Jan. 1-March 28). The 2026 Spring Meet at Churchill Downs will get underway Saturday, April 25. … Thank you to everyone for their coverage of Churchill Downs this year and hope to see everyone this winter at Turfway Park.