Junior Alvarado was fined 20 percent of his winnings for striking Sovereignty more times than is allowed with his riding crop

The jockey who rode Sovereignty to victory at last weekend's Kentucky Derby has been issued a fine and suspension for striking the 3-year-old colt with his riding crop an excessive amount during the race. Jockey Junior Alvarado was given a $62,000 fine and ...

Jockey Junior Alvarado was fined $62,000 and suspended 2 days for using his riding crop too many times during his Kentucky Derby ride on Sovereignty.

Sovereignty not only won the Derby but did what 2019 winner Country House could not for trainer Bill Mott — he crossed first.

The 38-year-old jockey from Barquisimeto, Venezuela, fractured his shoulder blade in a spill at Gulfstream Park days before the Florida Derby. After riding Sovereignty in each of his four career starts, Alvarado was forced to watch him race from the hospital.

Sovereignty outdueled 3-1 favorite Journalism down the stretch to win the 151st Kentucky Derby by 1 1/2 lengths in the slop.

Top horse racing expert reveals picks for 2025 Preakness Stakes horses like Journalism and Clever Again with Sovereignty and Rodriguez not running