Jockey Faces $62k Fine and Suspension for Overuse of Whip at Kentucky Derby - (2025)

Updated: 12/06/2025

Junior Alvarado, the jockey who triumphed at the Kentucky Derby atop Sovereignty, faced consequences for his overuse of his riding crop during the thrilling race at Churchill Downs Racetrack. The Kentucky Derby victory should have been a moment of pure celebration for Alvarado, but instead, it was marred by a fine of $62,000 and a suspension as a result of his use of the whip. This incident, where Alvarado exceeded the permissible limit of whip usage set by the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA), has stirred controversy and debate within the horse racing community.

The HISA, responsible for regulating such matters in horse racing, permits riders to use their whip a maximum of six times during a race. Alvarado, however, was found to have used his riding crop eight times during the Kentucky Derby, a violation of the established guidelines. This was not the first time Alvarado had breached this rule. The HISA revealed that this was the second instance within a 180-day period that Alvarado had exceeded the allowed limit, leading to the subsequent fine and suspension.

On the day the ruling was issued, the HISA announced that Alvarado would be fined $62,000, which amounted to 20% of his $310,000 share of the winnings from the Kentucky Derby. In addition to the financial penalty, Alvarado was also suspended from racing for two Kentucky racing days on May 29 and 30. Despite the severity of these consequences, Alvarado retains the option to appeal the decision within 10 days of the ruling's issuance.

Looking back at the 151st running of the Kentucky Derby, Alvarado's victory with Sovereignty was truly memorable. The race saw the underdog triumph over the heavy favorite Journalism in challenging muddy conditions. Following his win, Alvarado shared his perspective on the incident, expressing that he was unaware at the time of the overuse of his whip.

“I couldn't keep track of that. It's such a big race, there's so much that you've got on your mind,” Alvarado remarked. Reflecting on the race through a replay, he recognized the exceedance but emphasized the intensity of the moment and his focus on securing victory. “I just wanted to win the biggest race in America,” Alvarado added, shedding light on the pressure and excitement that accompanied the Kentucky Derby triumph.

While Sovereignty emerged victorious at the Kentucky Derby, the horse will not continue its quest to clinch the prestigious Triple Crown title. Trainer Bill Mott confirmed that Sovereignty would not be participating in the upcoming Preakness Stakes at the Pimlico Race Course, signaling the end of the horse's Triple Crown ambitions and the focus shifting to other contenders in the racing series.

The subsequent legs of the Triple Crown, following the Kentucky Derby, include the Preakness Stakes in Baltimore, Maryland, scheduled to take place on May 17, and the Belmont Stakes, the final race, set for June 7. With Sovereignty out of the running, the attention now turns to the remaining competitors as they vie for success in the highly esteemed Triple Crown series.

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