Kentucky Derby-winning Jockey Junior Alvarado to appeal fine, suspension from HISA per report

• Jockey Junior Alvarado is appealing a fine and suspension for excessive crop use in the Kentucky Derby.

Jockey Junior Alvarado is appealing his fine and suspension given to him by the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority. Alvarado’s agent, Mike Sellitto, said the ruling is under appeal, according to Byron King of Bloodhorse.com reporting.

Alvarado was fined $62,000 and suspended two days as the result of excessive crop use during his winning ride on Sovereignty in the Kentucky Derby on May 3 at Churchill Downs.

HISA ruled Alvarado used his crop eight times on Sovereignty, when the rule is that jockeys may use their crops no more than six times.

The penalty is 10% of the jockey’s earnings from the race — which would be $31,000 for the Kentucky Derby — and a one-day suspension. Since this was Alvarado’s second violation in the last 180 days, his penalty was doubled.

On Courier Journal columnist C.L. Brown’s podcast, Alvarado said, “I forgot it was a rule. … 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.”

Sovereignty will not run in the Preakness on May 17 and is expected to return for the final leg of the Triple Crown, the Belmont on June 7 at Saratoga.

Reach sports reporter Prince James Story at pstory@gannett.com and follow him on X at @PrinceJStory.