Sovereignty wins the 151st operating of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on Saturday, Might 3, 2025, in Louisville, Kentucky.
Ryan C. Hermens | Tribune Information Service | Getty Photographs
The jockey who rode Sovereignty to victory on the Kentucky Derby final week has been fined over $60,000 for placing the horse along with his driving crop too many instances through the race, in accordance with the Horseracing Integrity and Security Authority.
Junior Alvarado was discovered to have struck the horse along with his driving crop “greater than the permitted quantity” throughout final week’s race, violating the authority’s guidelines, it stated in an announcement Saturday.
A penalty was imposed in opposition to Alvarado on Friday for committing the Class 3 violation and he was hit with a positive equating to 10% of his $310,000 winnings, the assertion stated. The positive was then doubled “pursuant to an escalating penalty construction for repeat driving crop violations inside the earlier 180 days,” leading to a $62,000 positive, in accordance with HISA.
Alvarado was discovered to have struck Sovereignty eight instances through the Kentucky Derby, which was his second offense in 180 days, per a HISA ruling. HISA protocol permits jockeys to strike horses a most of six instances throughout a race.
The jockey was additionally suspended for 2 Kentucky racing days, Might 29 and 30, on account of the violation.
In keeping with HISA, driving crop penalties could be appealed through listening to earlier than the Inside Adjudication Panel. Alvarado didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark.
Alvarado now has 30 days to pay the positive.
The jockey and Sovereignty gained the 151st operating of the Kentucky Derby final Saturday at Churchill Downs.
Following the race, Alvarado, who grew up in Venezuela, stated profitable the Derby was a dream of his since he was a toddler.
The jockey suffered a shoulder damage and a fall forward of the race, however went on to win regardless of the percentages.
