Alvarado Fined $62,000, Suspended for KY Derby Ride

In a ruling issued May 9, jockey Junior Alvarado was fined $62,000 and suspended two racing days for violating riding crop rules in riding Sovereignty to victory in the May 3 Kentucky Derby (G1) at Churchill Downs. Kentucky stewards determined Alvarado struck Sovereignty eight times during the Derby, above the six-strike limit to a horse's hindquarters as allowed under Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority rules. Alvarado's fine is significantly larger than most riding crop violations, owing to the $5 million purse of the Kentucky Derby and the $3.1 million winner's share of the purse. According to HISA rules, going 1-3 strikes over the limit results typically in a $250 fine or 10% of the jockey's portion of the purse, whichever is greater, plus a one-day suspension. Alvarado's winning mount fee was $310,000 in the Derby. But a second offense within a 180-day period doubles the sanctions. Stewards cited Alvarado for this in issuing their ruling. Alvarado's earlier violation within the 180-day period occurred Dec. 1 at Churchill Downs. His suspension is to run May 29-30. The penalties were not unexpected. Speaking with BloodHorse following a postrace news conference after the Derby, Alvarado acknowledged going over the limit after reviewing race replays during the conference, but he said he did not realize it during his ride itself. "I couldn't keep track of that," Alvarado told BloodHorse Saturday. "It's such a big race, there's so much that you've got on your mind." Rallying down the center of the track, Sovereignty battled with favored Journalism, moving clear of that rival in the final eighth of a mile to score by 1 1/2 lengths. Alvarado last struck Sovereignty about a sixteenth of a mile from the finish. "I wasn't galloping by 10 (lengths). When the extra whip happened, I was right next to the favorite and I needed to do what I needed to do at the time," Alvarado said. "After (watching a replay), I saw I went over, but I had no time to think about that (in the moment). I just wanted to win the biggest race in America." Umberto Rispoli, aboard Journalism, appeared to have used the crop on Journalism six times—HISA's limit—with his final use of the crop also coming with about a sixteenth of a mile remaining. If stewards had determined Alvarado struck Sovereignty 10 times, HISA rules would have called for Sovereignty's disqualification from the Derby and even stiffer penalties for Alvarado. Sovereignty, a 3-year-old son of Into Mischief, races for owner/breeder Godolphin and Hall of Famer trainer Bill Mott. Today's crops are kinder on horses than in previous eras. They have poppers that produce a loud sound but are less likely to produce welts. Since HISA's riding crop rules were implemented in July 2022—a move made in the interests of optics and horse welfare—jockeys have become more aware of the restrictions placed on the crop's usage, and violations have gradually decreased in number. Stewards have continued to enforce the regulations at every race level and track under HISA oversight. Alvarado has been sanctioned nine times for riding crop violations according to HISA online records. A riding crop fine relative to the purse of the race is a disincentive for violations in races of high importance and value. They still occur, with one example taking place last fall when Drayden Van Dyke was sanctioned for his ride on Soul of an Angel in the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (G1) at Del Mar. Alvarado's agent, Mike Sellitto, said the ruling is under appeal. HISA's Internal Adjudication Panel will appoint three members of a pool of adjudicators to hear the appeal.