In a dramatic finish at Churchill Downs, Junior Alvarado clinched his first Kentucky Derby victory aboard Sovereignty, stunning racing fans and industry insiders alike. The 38-year-old Venezuelan jockey, who comes from a family of riders, guided Sovereignty past pre-race favorite Journalism in the final stretch, securing a $3. million prize from the $5 million purse
Alvarado’s journey to this milestone has been marked by resilience. After recovering from a recent injury, he praised Sovereignty’s loyalty and credited his family’s support for his success. “This is a dream come true. Sovereignty gave me everything, and I just guided him home,” Alvarado said after the race
While Alvarado celebrated his breakthrough, other renowned jockeys like Martin Garcia and Mike Smith were notably absent from the winner’s circle. Garcia, a seasoned competitor with multiple Grade 1 wins, and Smith, a Hall of Famer known for Triple Crown glory, both faced stiff competition in this year’s Derby. Their next moves are highly anticipated as the racing season continues.
With over 2,200 career wins and prestigious awards such as the Mike Venezia Memorial and George Woolf Memorial, Alvarado’s star is rapidly rising The question now: Can Garcia or Smith reclaim the spotlight, or is this the dawn of a new era led by Junior Alvarado?
