Sovereignty jockey fine, explained: Why Kentucky Derby winner's rider was punished for excessive whipping

The 151st Kentucky Derby shot Sovereignty — and his rider, Junior Alvarado — into worldwide prominence. The 3-year-old colt sprinted to immortality at Churchill Downs on May 3, blitzing past favorite Journalism to capture horse racing's grandest prize.

On Friday, a tribunal dedicated to horse safety found that Sovereignty's run — or, more specifically, the actions of his jockey — didn't quite meet standards.

The Horse and Safety Authority fined Alvarado $62,000, deeming that he whipped his steed too many times during his victory.

Here's what you need to know.

Sovereignty jockey fine, explained

Alvarado was docked $62,000 after HISA found that he struck Sovereignty eight times over the course of the two-minute race. HISA's riding crop rules state that jockeys are permitted to lash their horse "no more than six times and in increments of no more than two strikes," according to BloodHorse.

Installed in 2022 as a response to a torrent of horse deaths — many of which took place at Churchill Downs — the six-whip limit has received little objection. Alvarado acknowledged that he leveled out more strikes than was legal following the conclusion of the May 3 race.

"I couldn't keep track of that," Alvarado told BloodHorse. "It's such a big race, there's so much that you've got on your mind."

MORE: How much do Kentucky Derby jockeys make?

Sovereignty slipped past Journalism in the final eighth of a mile to secure a 1 1/2 length victory win. Alvarado's final blow came about 1/16th of a mile from the finish.

"I wasn't galloping by 10 (lengths). When the extra whip happened, I was right next to the favorite and I needed to do what I needed to do at the time," Alvarado said. "After (watching a replay), I saw I went over, but I had no time to think about that (in the moment). I just wanted to win the biggest race in America."

Riders who violate the six-whip limit typically receive a $250 fine or 10% deduction of the jockey's portion of the purse — whichever is greater. Alvarado claimed $310,000 in winnings. His $31,000 was then doubled because it's his second violation in 180 days.

Alvarado will also serve a two-race ban. He'll miss out on races on May 29 and May 30, as a result.

Is Sovereignty racing in the Preakness?

Sovereign will not run in the Preakness, according to Mike Rogers, the executive vice president of 1/ST Racing — the organization that operates Pimlico.

The decision came from his trainer, Hall of Famer Bill Mott, who appears to have prioritized his thoroughbred's well-being over competing for a chance at the Triple Crown.

“We want to do what’s best for the horse,” Mott told Louisville's WDRB.

MORE: Why Sovereignty is foregoing Triple Crown hopes, skipping Preakness Stakes

With Mott's decision, Sovereignty becomes the third Kentucky Derby winner in five years to forgo the second leg of the Triple Crown, joining 2022 champion Rich Strike and 2021 victor (after Medina Spirit's disqualification) Mandaloun.

Mott's move was a costly one. The Run for the Roses drew an estimated 17 million viewers this year. With the Kentucky Derby winner out of the Preakness field, onlookers can expect a precipitous decline in audience.