Jockey Junior Alvarado, regular rider for 2025 Horse of the Year Sovereignty, is expected to return to action Feb. 5 at Gulfstream Park after being shaken up late on the Holy Bull (G3) program Jan. 31.
Alvarado, 39, was replaced on his three scheduled mounts Feb. 1. He took off his final two mounts Saturday, both in stakes, after being thrown to the turf when his horse, Multiverse, clipped heels on the first turn in Race 9, an optional claiming allowance for 4-year-olds and up. Multiverse was not injured.
Agent Mike Sellitto said Sunday that Alvarado, who was transported to the hospital following the spill, received stitches on his knee but was otherwise unharmed. He was cleared to ride on Sunday but took the afternoon off to further his recovery.
Alvarado won earlier on Saturday's program aboard 5-year-old Roar Ready for trainer Victor Barboza Jr. and was second on Patrick Biancone-trained Redland Rebels in the $175,000 Kitten's Joy Stakes. In his absence, Tessellate ran sixth under Hall of Famer Javier Castellano in the $175,000 Forward Gal (G3), and 61-1 longshot Spicy Princess ran second with Edgard Zayas in the $175,000 Sweetest Chant.
Entering Sunday, Alvarado ranked fourth with 26 wins and third with more than $1.7 million in purse earnings from 145 mounts at the Championship Meet, which began Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 27. Among his victories are Destino d'Oro in the Pegasus Filly & Mare Turf (G2T), Grand Job in the Inside Information (G2), Knightsbridge in the Mr. Prospector (G3) and Fred Hooper Stakes (G3), and Layabout in the Tropical Park Derby.
Alvarado is named in four of 10 races Feb. 5, including Godolphin homebred Spirit of Hope, a 4-year-old half sister to 2023 Horse of the Year Cody's Wish , making her career debut, in Race 6, a maiden special weight going one mile on the main track.
