Jockey Junior Alvarado, the regular rider for 2025 Horse of the Year Sovereignty, is expected to resume riding Thursday at Gulfstream Park after a late spill on Saturday’s Holy Bull (G3) program. The 39-year-old jockey was shaken up when his mount, Multiverse, clipped heels on the first turn of Race 9, an optional claiming allowance for 4-year-olds and up. Multiverse was unharmed in the incident.
Alvarado, who required stitches on his knee, was cleared to ride Sunday but chose to rest, missing three scheduled mounts. His absence was felt on the card as stakes competitors like Tessellate and Spicy Princess claimed notable finishes under replacement riders. Earlier in the day, Alvarado had guided 5-year-old Roar Ready to victory for trainer Victor Barboza Jr. and finished second aboard Redland Rebels in the $175,000 Kitten’s Joy.
Entering Sunday, Alvarado ranked fourth in wins with 26 and third in purse earnings, exceeding $1.7 million from 145 mounts during the Championship Meet, which began Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 27. His victories at the meet include Destino D’Oro in the Pegasus Filly & Mare Turf (G2), Grand Job in the Inside Information (G2), Knightsbridge in the Mr. Prospector (G3) and Fred Hooper (G3), and Layabout in the Tropical Park Derby.
Alvarado to Ride Promising Debut Filly Spirit of Hope
Thursday, Alvarado is named on four of 10 races, including Race 6, a maiden special weight for older fillies and mares going one mile on the main track. Among his mounts is Spirit of Hope, a 4-year-old Godolphin homebred and half-sister to 2023 Horse of the Year Cody’s Wish, making her career debut under Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott. The bay filly has been training steadily at Payson Park since late November and will break from the rail in a field of six.
The Championship Meet will also feature a 20-cent Rainbow 6 sequence, estimated to reach $450,000. The sequence begins in Race 5, a starter optional claimer for 3-year-old fillies over 1 1/16 miles on the turf. Among the entrants are last-out winner Divine Blue and multiple starter Cairo Comedy, as well as Call the Bullpen, who has finished third or better in four of six starts.
Additional highlights include Race 7, an optional claiming allowance over five furlongs on the turf for sophomore fillies, and Race 8, a maiden special weight over 1 1/16 miles on the all-weather Tapeta, featuring highly regarded six-figure yearlings Scope, by Gun Runner, and Pletcher-trained stablemate Lanum, a first-time starter by Triple Crown winner American Pharoah.
Junior Alvarado’s return is keenly anticipated, as he has been one of the standout performers of the meet. His mounts, combined with emerging stars like Spirit of Hope, promise an engaging Thursday at Gulfstream Park for racing enthusiasts.
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