Gov’t to allocate $1 million for Caribbean Classic in PR.

Gov. Jenniffer González Colón honored Puerto Rican jockeys José Luis Ortiz and Irad Ortiz on Tuesday with the Governor’s Medal, following their first- and second-place finishes in the 2026 Kentucky Derby on May 2.

PR Gov’t to allocate $1 million for Caribbean Classic in Puerto Rico

By THE STAR STAFF

Gov. Jenniffer González Colón honored Puerto Rican jockeys José Luis Ortiz and Irad Ortiz on Tuesday with the Governor’s Medal, following their first- and second-place finishes in the 2026 Kentucky Derby on May 2.

In addition to the proclamations presented to the Ortiz brothers, González Colón recognized trainer Cherie DeVaux -- the first woman to win the Kentucky Derby in the competition’s more than 150-year history.

José Luis Ortiz won the 152nd edition of the Kentucky Derby aboard Golden Tempo, while Irad Ortiz took second place riding Renegade.

The governor also announced that she will allocate $1 million to facilitate the hosting of the Caribbean Classic in Puerto Rico, scheduled for December 2-6 at Camarero Racetrack in Canóvanas.

“The Caribbean Classic is the Kentucky Derby of Latin America,” González Colón said in a written statement. 

“Hosting the Caribbean Classic in Puerto Rico represents a historic opportunity to continue and build upon the tremendous triumph of Irad and José Luis Ortiz, and to continue promoting Puerto Rico as a tourist destination,” the governor added, noting that both jockeys began their professional development at Camarero.

The racetrack will contribute an additional $1 million in its own resources, including $276,000 earmarked for the establishment of a horse quarantine facility in compliance with federal regulations. The broadcast of the event will reach nine participating countries: Panama, Venezuela, Mexico, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Colombia, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, and Puerto Rico.

The Caribbean Classic is expected to generate an estimated economic impact of $3.3 million, according to the methodology employed by the Tourism Company.

The Ortiz brothers were also honored in the island House of Representatives on Tuesday, where Speaker Carlos “Johnny” Méndez Nuñez presented José Luis with the Presidential Medal.

Tribute was also paid to the other five riders from the island who participated in this race, including Manuel Franco, Edwin Maldonado, Jaime Torres, Christian Torres and John Velázquez. All received a Motion of Recognition and medal from the lower chamber.

Also recognized during the House ceremony was Agustín Mercado Reverón Equestrian School in Canóvanas, which played a role in the training of six of the seven Puerto Rican riders who participated in the 152nd edition of the “The Run for the Roses.”