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Junior Alvarado recently expressed his feelings after the victory at the 2025 Belmont Stakes. The race was held on Saturday, June 7, at the Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, New York.
Junior Alvarado with Sovereignty defeated Journalism to dominate the race in the quarter mile left. He surpassed Journalism in the final moments of the race, covering a distance of 1 1/4 miles to win the Test of Champions. Sovereignty continued its winning streak following the Kentucky Derby.
Sovereignty was pulled out from competing at the Preakness Stakes with an aim to earn a big finish at the final leg of the triple crowns (including Belmont Stakes, Kentucky Derby, and Preakness Stakes). Sovereignty's jockey Alvarado expressed his joy following the victory and stated it was a "once in a lifetime" experience to race along with him.
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"Well, yes, bit was about the horse," Alvarado said. "I knew I had the horse you know, that's why I was so bummed out when I took my spell in Gulfstream because I knew this is one of a lifetime horse. I knew it was very special so I didn't want to miss all this and, you know, thank God, he helped me out to the recover quick and here I am you know, I never had a doubt that this horse was this good."
Junior Alvarado opens up on being suspended after the Kentucky Derby ride on Sovereignty
Junior Alvarado was fined and suspended following his victory at the 2025 Kentucky Derby for using the riding crop (whip) eight times on Sovereignty, according to HISA (Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority). As per the rules laid by HISA, a jockey can make use of the crop not more than six times.
"I’ve been trained to think, ‘What could I have done different? If I had to do it again, how could I make sure I don’t go over?’ I don’t see how. You’re about to win the biggest race in the world. I can’t think about how many (times) I’m hitting the horse. I’m just riding,” he said. (via courier journal)
“I have to push,” Alvarado added. “I’m riding a horse who’s a heavy horse. He’ll give you what he’s got, but you have to get to the bottom. He’s not going to give you anything for free. You have to make him do it.”
Alvarado was charged $31,000 as a fine and served a one-day suspension from May 29-30.
