Irad Ortiz Jr., who has not ridden since being injured Aug. 8, is on the mend and may return toward the end of this month, reports his agent, Steve Rushing.“Irad is doing well,” Rushing said via text. “He will breeze some horses this week. Hopefully, he will be returning toward the end of the Churchill meet or the beginning of the Keeneland meet.”The current Churchill meet ends Sept. 27. The Keeneland fall meet kicks off Oct. 2.Ortiz was injured when his mount And The Runner Is (Oscar Performance) acted up in the post parade before reaching the starting gate, resulting in the rider rolling his left ankle. X-rays revealed that there were no broken bones, but the Eclipse- Award winner rider has had a hard time getting back into action. He had planned on riding Counting Stars (Honor A.P.) in the GI Coaching Club American Oaks Aug. 22, but decided to stay on the sidelines after breezing a horse the prior day and then reporting that he did not feel he was ready to return.He also missed the mount on Renegade (Into Mischief) in the GI Travers Stakes and was replaced by Tyler Gaffalione. The injury cost him all chance of winning the riding title at Saratoga, something he has done seven times and four straight times entering this year's meet. Manny Franco wound up winning the Saratoga title.The post Irad Ortiz Jr. Is Nearing A Comeback appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.