The Ortiz brothers—Jose and Irad Jr.—are two of the most celebrated jockeys in horse racing, and their thrilling duel at the Kentucky Derby nearly two weeks ago captivated fans worldwide. But as they prepare to ride in the Preakness Stakes this Saturday, May 16, their Triple Crown journey is now shadowed by controversy.

Photos and videos uncovered on social media by USA TODAY Sports appear to link the Puerto Rican-born brothers, ages 32 and 33, to illegal cockfighting. The most striking evidence includes a video posted on X about six months ago that seems to show Jose and Irad collecting money from a betting crowd inside Club Gallistico de Naguabo, a cockfighting venue in Puerto Rico. The discovery raises serious questions for two athletes who have built their reputations on the back of thoroughbreds.

But the Ortiz brothers aren't alone in this spotlight. Edwin Díaz, a three-time MLB All-Star pitcher now with the Los Angeles Dodgers, has also been connected to cockfighting events on the island. Social media posts from February show Díaz in his Dodgers uniform, with one Facebook ad translated to read: "The Puerto Rico Cockfighting Club invites all enthusiasts to a special match and a grand tribute to one of our island’s greatest sources of pride: A Tribute to the Puerto Rican Star and Cockfighter Edwin 'Sugar' Díaz."

El Nuevo Día, Puerto Rico's largest newspaper, even published a photo of Díaz standing in a cockfighting pit. In the accompanying article, Díaz is quoted as saying, "It’s a pastime I’ve followed since I was a child. It’s legal in Puerto Rico, thank God. Otherwise, I wouldn’t be here."

Here’s where the legal landscape gets tricky. A federal ban on cockfighting took effect in all U.S. states and territories, including Puerto Rico, back in 2019. That means participating in or organizing cockfights is a federal crime, carrying a maximum penalty of five years in prison. Yet, on the island, the tradition runs deep—cockfights have been held there for over 400 years, and many locals view them as a cultural staple rather than a crime.

For the Ortiz brothers and Díaz, the stakes extend beyond the ring or the mound. As public figures in sports—where discipline and integrity are paramount—these allegations could impact their careers and reputations. For now, all eyes are on the Preakness, where Jose and Irad will try to keep their focus on the horses, not the controversy circling around them.