First-time Kentucky Derby winner Junior Alvarado dominates field with horse Sovereignty

Sovereignty jockey Junior Alvarado nearly missed the Kentucky Derby with an injury. He returned just in time to win it.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Less than two months before the Kentucky Derby, jockey Junior Alvarado was praying to God to heal him.

On March 23, Alvarado was riding the horse Term at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, Florida, when his thoroughbred suffered a heart attack, sending Alvarado off his saddle. He was clipped by another horse while on the ground tending to his own, resulting in a hairline fracture in his shoulder that would sideline him for three weeks.

Alvarado was heartbroken. His dream was winning the Derby, and he felt he had a legitimate shot this year with his horse Sovereignty. Alvarado wasn’t sure if he would ever get an opportunity like this again if he didn’t return in time.

“I have a lot of faith in God,” Alvarado said Saturday about the mental challenge he faced. “Every day since I got the injury I kept telling God, ‘Please heal me, please heal me. If it’s meant to be, I know you’re going to put me right back in action before the Derby.’”

Alvarado’s prayers were answered.