The jockey of the Kentucky Derby-winning horse Sovereignty has been fined $62,000 for using his riding crop too many times.
The Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority states jockeys can only strike their horse six times during a race, but officials claim Junior Alvarado struck Sovereignty eight times at the May 3 event. The Kentucky Derby, held at Louisville’s Churchill Downs racecourse, is the longest continuously-held sports race in the U.S. The event drew nearly 150,000 attendees this year.
