The 2026 Kentucky Derby initially seemed to avoid controversy, with jockey Jose Ortiz winning on a longshot and making history with trainer Cherie DeVaux as the first female Derby-winning trainer. However, the celebration was short-lived as both Ortiz brothers, Jose and Irad, were exposed for involvement in illegal cockfighting in Puerto Rico, a federal felony. This scandal, revealed through social media and investigative reporting, also implicated Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Edwin Diaz and other MLB players, highlighting a troubling link between professional sports figures and illegal animal cruelty activities. Despite clear violations of Major League Baseball’s Rule 21, which prohibits involvement in illegal gambling operations, no disciplinary actions have been taken against the players involved.
The horse racing industry, already plagued by issues such as horse injuries and jockey misconduct, faces further reputational damage due to the Ortiz brothers’ cockfighting involvement. Animal welfare advocates condemn these actions as detrimental to the sport’s image and call for strict enforcement of rules and legal consequences. Unlike MLB, the Horseracing Integrity & Safety Authority lacks jurisdiction over jockeys’ off-track behavior, complicating accountability. Advocates urge federal authorities and sports regulators to act decisively, drawing parallels to past responses to animal fighting scandals in other sports, emphasizing that cockfighting is as serious a crime as dogfighting under federal law.
