On June 2, 2026, the name Ortiz is dominating sports headlines through two vastly different lenses. While baseball legend David Ortiz warns that Red Sox owner John Henry is “worried” about the team’s direction, Kentucky Derby winner Jose Ortiz faces mounting scrutiny over alleged illegal cockfighting involvement in Puerto Rico.
Ownership Anxiety in Boston

A Historic Weekend at Churchill Downs
| Jockey | Career Starts | Career Wins | Career Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jose Ortiz | 18,900 | 3,581 | $311,776,409 |
| Irad Ortiz Jr. | 22,195 | 4,546 | $392,928,485 |
Scrutiny and Allegations in Puerto Rico
The celebration of the Ortiz brothers’ racing dominance has been abruptly overshadowed by a growing controversy. A USA TODAY Sports investigation published on May 14, 2026, has linked both Jose and Irad to alleged involvement in illegal activity in Puerto Rico, specifically related to cockfighting. The investigation traces a series of digital footprints that suggest the brothers have been connected to the controversial sport for some time. These include:- A video from November 2025 appearing to show the brothers in a cockfighting arena, allegedly collecting money from bettors.
- A Facebook post from December 17, 2025, listing the brothers under a section for participants in a tournament titled “Caribbean Grand Champion.”
- An image from January 15, 2024, showing the pair standing with a known cockfighting breeder and promoter at Club Gallistico de Naguabo.
“With the horse racing industry already plagued by doping, horse deaths and horse abuse scandals, the last thing it should celebrate is jockeys who engage in egregious cruelty to other animals in a jurisdiction where it’s illegal.”
The Looming Preakness Stakes

