Kentucky Derby-winning jockey fined $62,000 for overuse of whip

Kentucky Derby-winning jockey Junior Alvarado has been fined $62,000 (£46,603/€55,094) and suspended for two days for violating whip rules when riding Sovereignty to victory at Churchill Downs.

In a ruling issued on Friday, the 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 (Hisa) rules.

Alvarado's fine is significantly larger than most whip 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 one to three strikes over the limit results typically in a $250 fine or ten per cent of the jockey's portion of the purse, whichever is greater, plus a one-day suspension. Alvarado's winning fee was $310,000 in the Derby.

But a second offence 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 on December 1 at Churchill Downs.

His suspension is to run from May 29-30.

The penalties were not unexpected. Speaking with BloodHorse following a post-race news conference after the Derby, Alvarado acknowledged going over the limit after reviewing race replays during the conference, but said he did not realise it during his ride itself.

"I couldn't keep track of that," Alvarado said. "It's such a big race, there's so much that you've got on your mind."

Sovereignty: Kentucky Derby winner for GodolphinCredit: Getty Images

Rallying down the centre of the track, Sovereignty battled with favourite Journalism, moving clear of that rival in the closing stages to score by a length and a half. Alvarado last struck Sovereignty about 100 metres from the finish.

"I wasn't galloping by ten [lengths]. When the extra whip happened, I was right next to the favourite 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 whip on Journalism six times — Hisa's limit — with his final use also coming with around 100 metres remaining.

If the stewards had determined Alvarado struck Sovereignty ten times, Hisa rules would have called for Sovereignty's disqualification from the Derby and even stiffer penalties for Alvarado.

Sovereignty, a three-year-old son of Into Mischief, races for Godolphin and Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott.

Since Hisa's whip 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 its usage, and violations have gradually decreased. 

Alvarado's agent, Mike Sellitto, said the ruling is under appeal.

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