Junior Alvarado Slated to Return at Gulfstream Thursday

[Wandering Eyes]

Jockey Junior Alvarado, regular rider for 2025 Horse of the Year Sovereignty, is expected to return to action Thursday at Gulfstream Park after being shaken up late on Saturday's GIII Holy Bull Stakes program.

The 39-year-old, replaced on his three scheduled mounts Sunday, took off his final two mounts Saturday, both in stakes, after being thrown to the turf by Multiverse (Practical Joke), who clipped heels on the first turn in 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 Sunday but took the afternoon off to further his recovery.

Alvarado won earlier on Saturday's program aboard 5-year-old Roar Ready (Do the Roar) for trainer Victor Barboza Jr. and was second on Patrick Biancone-trained Redland Rebels (Uncle Chuck) in the Kitten's Joy Stakes.

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 (Bolt d'Oro) in the GII Pegasus Filly & Mare Turf, Grand Job (Justify) in the GII Inside Information, Knightsbridge (Nyquist) in the GIII Mr. Prospector and GIII Fred Hooper and Layabout (Laoban) in the Tropical Park Derby.

Alvarado is named in four of 10 races Thursday including Godolphin homebred Spirit of Hope (Street Sense), a 4-year-old half-sister to 2023 Horse of the Year Cody's Wish making her career debut, in a Race 6 maiden special weight going one mile on the main track.

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