Last week, the jockey, who rode sovereign over his victory in the Kentucky Derby, was fined more than $60,000 for hitting horses with horseback crops multiple times during the race, according to the Horse Racing Integrity and Safety Bureau.
Junior Alvarado was found to have attacked the horse with his riding crop “more than allowed” during the race last week, violating authorities’ rules, saying it was in a statement Saturday.
A penalty was imposed on Alvarado on Friday for committing a Class 3 violation, and he was fined 10% of his $310,000 prize money, the statement said. The fines have since doubled “in accordance with the escalating penalty structure for repeated crop violations within the past 180 days,” resulting in a $62,000 fine, according to HISA.
It was revealed that Alvarado attacked sovereignty eight times during the Kentucky Derby. Hisa Protocol allows jockeys to attack horses up to six times during the race.
The jockeys were also suspended on May 29th and 30th Kentucky race days as a result of the violation.
According to Hisa, penalties for riding crops can be appealed via hearing before an internal arbitration panel. Alvarado did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Alvarado currently has 30 days to pay the fine.
Jockey and Sovereignty won the Kentucky Derby 151st run at Churchill Downs last Saturday.
After the race, Alvarado, who grew up in Venezuela, said winning the Derby was his dream since he was a child.
The jockey suffered a shoulder injury and fell ahead of the race, but won despite the odds.
