Junior Alvarado, who rode Sovereignty to victory at last weekend’s Kentucky Derby, has been fined and banned for overuse of his whip during the race.
The jockey was found to have used the whip “more than the permitted amount” the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) said on Saturday. Under HISA regulations, jockeys are allowed to strike their horse six times during a race; Alvarado used the whip on Sovereignty eight times. It was his second such offense in the last 180 days, meaning his fine was doubled to $62,000 – 20% of his winnings from the Kentucky Derby.
