LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Despite experiencing a significant setback due to a serious fall, jockey Junior Alvarado made a comeback to remember, guiding Sovereignty to a resounding victory in the Kentucky Derby. Alvarado’s strategic maneuvering saw Sovereignty surpass other contenders in the muddy conditions, ultimately overtaking the 3-1 favorite, Journalism, to clinch the victory in the prestigious 151st running at Churchill Downs by a margin of 1 1/2 lengths. Alvarado, alongside his horse, bore the mud as a badge of honor, symbolizing triumph under challenging conditions, adorned by the iconic garland of red roses.
Alvarado reflected on this significant win, which marked his debut victory at this marquee event after eight previous attempts. “It’s still sinking in,” the 38-year-old Venezuelan jockey admitted, acknowledging the triumph as a milestone not only for himself but also for his family. Growing up in Venezuela, the Kentucky Derby was one of the few American races they could watch, and it kindled a dream within him to one day race in it. “I always dreamt about participating in the Kentucky Derby, and today that dream has come true,” he expressed.
This Kentucky Derby victory is a significant addition to Alvarado’s illustrious career, characterized by numerous Grade 1 victories in prominent horse racing contests. His accolades include a Triple Crown achievement in the 2021 Preakness Stakes, several Breeders’ Cup wins, and the triumph at the $3 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational aboard Art Collector in Florida.
Saturday’s performance was all the more outstanding because it followed a challenging period for Alvarado, who sustained a shoulder fracture on March 23 during a fall at Gulfstream when his horse suffered a heart attack. Defying the odds, he made his racing return just three weeks after the incident at Keeneland and secured victories in claiming races at Churchill Downs earlier this week, reaffirming his resilience.
Riding Sovereignty in the Derby was something Alvarado aimed for despite his injury. Although he missed the Grade 1 Florida Derby on March 29 — where Manny Franco temporarily took the reins, securing a second place — renowned trainer Bill Mott assured him of Sovereignty’s saddle as long as he was capable, considering his previous graded stakes victories on the Derby path. “That assurance brought me peace of mind,” Alvarado shared.
The race itself was not without its challenges, marked by several hurdles starting from being the 7-1 third-favorite as the race commenced. The race began with a tense moment when Sovereignty clipped heels with another horse as the field of 19 passed the grandstand. Concerns arose that Sovereignty might lose a shoe due to the bump, and Alvarado had to skillfully navigate the racecourse to maintain favorable positioning.
“When we turned to the backside, he was still traveling very beautifully until the five-eight pole,” Alvarado recounted. “Then he seemed to signal to me, ‘I’m ready.’” With this cue, Alvarado positioned Sovereignty along with Journalism as they approached the stretch, finally bypassing him in a decisive finish. This victory signified a landmark win for the Dubai-based Godolphin stable, provided trainer Mott with a pure victory following the 2019 Derby granted via disqualification, and marked a personal comeback for Alvarado after a challenging setback.
“Junior executed perfectly,” Mott praised, emphasizing the advantageous race setup due to the fast pace. “He maneuvered the horse brilliantly and found him a clear run down the backside.”
This piece has been edited to reflect that Sovereignty’s winning odds were 7-1, correcting an earlier report of 9-1.