CNN
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Junior Alvarado, who rode sovereignty towards a victory in the Kentucky Derby earlier this month, was fined and suspended during the race for overuse of his whip.
Alvarado has been found to have used equestrian crops eight times during a race at the Churchill Downs racetrack in Louisville, Kentucky. However, regulations set by the Horse Racing Integrity and Safety Agency (HISA) allow riders to use whips six times during the race.
Hisa said it was the second time Alvarado violated the rule in 180 days.
As a result, Hisa announced on Saturday that Alvarado was fined 20% of his prize money ranging from $62,000 to $310,000, and was suspended for two days of Kentucky race day on May 29th and 30th.
Alvarado may appeal the decision within 10 days of issuance of the judgment.
Alvarado and the Sovereignty won a thrilling race in their 151st run of the Kentucky Derby, defeating their much-loved journalism in the final stretch in muddy conditions.
It was Alvarado’s first victory in the Derby, and then the 38-year-old rider said he realized he had surpassed the use of the whip that was allowed when he re-watched the race.
“I couldn’t track it,” the Venezuelan rider told horse racing website Bloodhorse. “It’s a huge race. There’s a lot you have in your heart.”
Alvarado added: “I didn’t gallop to 10 (length). When the extra whip happened, I had to be next to my favorite and do what I needed to do at the time.
The next leg of the U.S. horse racing triple crown will take place at the Preakness Stakes in Baltimore, Maryland on May 17th, followed by the final race at the Belmont Stakes on June 7th.
Sovereignty doesn’t try to win the triple crown after trainer Bill Mott said he won’t compete in Preakness on the Pimlico racecourse.
