If you’ve spent any time at the windows at Hallandale Beach lately, you already know the deal. You look at the program, see a horse that probably shouldn't win on paper, and then you notice the name in the "Jockey" column. Irad Ortiz Jr. Honestly, it’s getting a little ridiculous at this point.
As of mid-January 2026, the race for the leading jockey at Gulfstream Park isn't much of a race at all. It’s more like a coronation.
Irad didn't just show up this winter to hang out in the Florida sun. He came to dominate. He’s currently sitting at the top of the standings with 38 wins from roughly 130 starts. That’s a 29% win rate. Think about that for a second. Nearly one out of every three horses he climbs onto ends up in the winner's circle. For a bettor, those are "mortgage the house" kind of numbers, even if the payouts are usually short.
The Gulfstream Championship Meet Grind
The Championship Meet is the deep end of the pool. This isn't the summer session where the big guns are up at Saratoga or Monmouth. This is when every heavy hitter in the country descends on South Florida.
You’ve got Tyler Gaffalione chasing him in second with 26 wins. Tyler is incredible, especially on the turf, but even he's finding it hard to bridge that 12-win gap. Then you have guys like Miguel Angel Vasquez (23 wins) and the local legend Edgard Zayas (22 wins) who know every inch of this dirt, yet they’re still looking at Irad's back.
It’s about the mounts, sure. Todd Pletcher and Saffie Joseph Jr. aren't exactly handing their best horses to the guys in the back of the room. But it’s also the "Irad Factor."
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Have you ever watched him in a tight spot?
He finds gaps that don't exist. He’ll be pinned on the rail at the top of the stretch, seemingly hopelessly blocked, and two seconds later, he's clear by a length. It’s like he’s playing a video game while everyone else is riding actual horses. He just hit his 1,000th career win at Gulfstream Park back in December on a horse named White Claw Woman. That’s a mountain of winners at a single track.
Breaking Down the Standings (The Real Numbers)
Let’s look at how the top of the leaderboard actually shakes out right now. These stats aren't just fluff—they tell you who is actually making money for the owners and the fans.
- Irad Ortiz Jr.: 38 Wins | $1,446,473 in Earnings
- Tyler Gaffalione: 26 Wins | $1,308,329 in Earnings
- Miguel Angel Vasquez: 23 Wins | $739,351 in Earnings
- Edgard J. Zayas: 22 Wins | $952,994 in Earnings
- Javier Castellano: 18 Wins | $951,535 in Earnings
Notice the earnings gap? Irad has already banked over $1.4 million in purses this meet alone. It’s only January.
What’s interesting is the return of Luis Saez. He was at Oaklawn for a bit but just popped back into Gulfstream a few days ago and immediately won his first race back. Saez held the single-season win record here (137 wins) until Irad smashed it with 140 a few years back. If Saez stays for the rest of the winter, the "leading jockey at Gulfstream Park" conversation might actually get spicy.
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The Young Gun and the Old Guard
It isn't just a two-man show.
Keep an eye on Micah Husbands. He’s an apprentice—a "bug" boy—and he’s been riding like a seasoned pro. He’s already got 12 wins this meet. Watching a kid like that navigate the traffic against Hall of Famers like John Velazquez is one of the best parts of the winter meet.
Speaking of Velazquez, he’s still showing everyone how it’s done. He doesn't take 10 mounts a day anymore. He’s selective. He’s got 13 wins from only 65 starts. That’s a veteran who knows exactly which horses are worth his time.
Then there's the Tapeta factor. Gulfstream’s all-weather surface changed the game a few years ago. Some riders just "get" the Tapeta, and others hate it. David Egan has been a bit of a surprise there, racking up 16 wins and showing a lot of tactical versatility. He’s currently tied for 5th or 6th in the standings depending on the day.
Why the Leaderboard Matters for Your Bets
If you're betting the races, the jockey standings are basically your cheat sheet.
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A "hot" jockey isn't just a myth. It’s about confidence. When a trainer sees Irad or Gaffalione winning three races a day, they want them on their horse. This creates a cycle. The best jockeys get the best horses, which leads to more wins, which leads to even better horses.
The misconception is that you can just "bet the jock" and get rich. Honestly, because everyone knows Irad is the leading jockey at Gulfstream Park, his horses are almost always overbet. You’ll see a horse that should be 5-1 go off at 2-1 just because he's in the irons.
If you want value, you look at the guys in the 5th to 10th spots. Look at Junior Alvarado. He’s got 17 wins and a solid 17% win rate. His horses often fly under the radar because the public is too busy staring at the Ortiz brothers.
How to Follow the Race for the Title
The Championship Meet runs through March, so there’s a long way to go. Injuries happen. Jockeys move to different circuits for specific stakes races. But barring something crazy, Irad is the heavy favorite to take home yet another title.
If you want to stay ahead of the curve, here’s how to use this info:
- Watch the Turf vs. Dirt splits. Gaffalione is often the king of the grass, while Irad tends to dominate the main track.
- Track the "Bug" weight. Apprentice Micah Husbands gets a weight allowance. On a hot, humid Florida afternoon, those extra 5-7 pounds off a horse's back can be the difference between winning and fading in the stretch.
- Monitor the returns. Keep an eye on Luis Saez. If he starts picking up 6-7 mounts a day, he’s the only one with the raw talent to actually threaten Irad’s lead.
Check the daily Equibase or Daily Racing Form (DRF) standings every Monday morning. The shifts are subtle, but you'll start to see who the "live" trainers are leaning on. Right now, it's a "Catch Me If You Can" situation, and Irad Ortiz Jr. is already halfway around the turn.