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American Equus Chosen Riders Dominate at Belmont Stakes

American Equus Chosen Riders Dominate at Belmont Stakes

Gilbert, AZ – June 14, 2017 – The 149th running of the Belmont Stakes was not a battle for a Triple Crown winner this year, but it was a hard-fought race to the finish line nonetheless. On Saturday, June 10, American Equus Chosen Rider, Jose Ortiz, piloted Tapwrit to the coveted spot in the winner’s circle, finishing two lengths ahead of the crowd favorite, Irish War Cry. Chosen Riders also ran to victory in ten other races that were held at the famed Belmont Park in New York City, New York.

Although Tapwrit was not the favorite in the longest race of the coveted Triple Crown, he ran the 1.5-mile track in 2:30.02, beating out a field of 11 other top racehorses. His jockey, José Ortiz, was just one of five American Equus Chosen Riders to compete in the Belmont Stakes. Ortiz’s brother, Irad Ortiz, Jr., Hall of Fame legend Mike Smith, as well as Javier Casetellano and Channing Hill also donned their own customized American Equus irons.

The Belmont Stakes Racing Festival held thirteen races over the course of the action-packed day. American Equus Chosen Riders dominated all but two races with winning performances. Irad Ortiz Jr., earned a spot in the winner’s circle Saturday with Disco Partner in the Jaipur Invitational Stakes. Mike Smith and his Kentucky Oaks winning mount, Abel Tasman, won the Acorn Stakes and Smith continued his winning streak by besting the Easy Goer Stakes, the Ogden Phipps Stakes, the Woody Stephens Stakes and the Mohegan Sun Metropolitan. Javier Castellano won the Brooklyn Invitational Stakes and the Longines “Just A Game” Stakes.

American Equus, made their Grade 1 debut in racing at the 2016 Belmont Stakes Racing Festival, since that time the racing irons that are taking the market by storm have been along for the ride in some of the biggest races from around the world, including the Pegasus World Cup Invitational and the Dubai World Cup, both won by Mike Smith in his ‘Tear Drop’ racing irons.

American Equus racing iron’s are unique for their unwavering dedication to quality and jockey safety. American Equus’ foot bed design incorporates technology that helps the rider maintain balance as well as keep their foot secure in the stirrup. Meticulously crafted from solid 6061 T6 Aircraft Quality Billet Aluminum that provides extreme lateral crush strength in the starting gate, the irons are the safest stirrup available on the market. The revolutionary racing irons only weigh 98g, making them some of the lightest thoroughbred irons available.

“Watching José cross the finish line in the Belmont Stakes was really gratifying for everyone at American Equus. We take pride in our Chosen Rider’s success and to have the support of so many well-respected jockey’s in the industry is really gratifying,” said David Shano, founder of American Equus. “We want to congratulate all of our winning jockeys on their performance at this year’s Belmont- we are looking forward to many more appearances for everyone in the winner’s circle.

To learn more about American Equus and their complete line of stirrups for all equestrian disciplines, please click here

Full List of American Equus Belmont Racing Festival Results:
Race 2 – Easy Goer StakesMike Smith on West Coast
Race 3 – Brooklyn Invitational StakeJavier Castellano and War Story
Race 4 – Acorn StakesMike Smith and Abel Tasman
Race 5 – Ogden Phipps StakesMike Smith and Songbird
Race 6 – Jaipur Invitational StakesIrad Ortiz, Jr. and Disco Partner
Race 7 – Woody Stephens StakeMike Smith and American Anthem
Race 8 – Longines Just a Game StakesJavier Castellano and Antonoe
Race 9 – Mohegan Sun Metropolitan H.Mike Smith and Mor Spirit
Race 10 – Woodford Reserve Manhattan StakesJose L. Ortiz and Ascend
Race 11 – Belmont S Presented by NyrabetsJose Ortiz and Tapwrit
Race 13 – $96,000 Allowance Optional ClaimingJose Ortiz and Do Share