Sat May 17 22:50:00 UTC 2025: **FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**

**Kentucky Derby Winner’s Jockey Fined $62,000, Suspended for Crop Use Violation**

LOUISVILLE, KY – Junior Alvarado, the jockey who rode Sovereignty to victory in the Kentucky Derby on May 3, has been hit with a hefty $62,000 fine and a two-day suspension for excessive crop use during the race. The ruling, handed down Friday by the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA), stems from Alvarado striking Sovereignty eight times, exceeding the permitted six strikes under HISA regulations.

The initial penalty for the violation is typically a 10% cut of the jockey’s earnings from the race (around $31,000 for the Kentucky Derby win) and a one-day suspension. However, HISA doubled the fine and suspension due to it being Alvarado’s second violation within a 180 day timeframe. He will serve the suspension on May 29th and 30th.

Alvarado has 10 days to appeal the ruling.

Speaking on the C.L. Brown Show earlier this week, Alvarado admitted to forgetting the rule in the heat of the moment. “I forgot it was a rule,” he said. “I was seeing my dream coming true right in front of me. The whip rule was the last thing I had in my mind. I have to pay the consequences, I guess.” He stated that Sovereignty required extra encouragement to push through the final stretch, emphasizing the horse’s tendency to need strong urging.

Sovereignty will sit out the Preakness Stakes on May 17 but is expected to compete in the Belmont Stakes on June 7 at Saratoga.

Alvarado, a 38-year-old native of Venezuela, achieved his first Kentucky Derby victory with Sovereignty after six attempts.

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