Jockey Alvarado Sidelined with Fractured Shoulder, Will Miss Florida Derby

Junior Alvarado, regular rider of Kentucky Derby contender Sovereignty, will be sidelined approximately three weeks after suffering a fractured shoulder blade in a Sunday incident at Gulfstream Park.

X-rays on Monday confirmed the injury, which occurred following the track’s 10th race when Alvarado was attending to his mount Term (Medaglia d’Oro), who suffered a fatal heart attack during the race. While tending to his fallen horse, Alvarado was clipped by another runner.

"The injury was very slight, they could barely find it at first on the X-ray, but barring a miracle, Junior will likely miss about three weeks," Mike Sellitto, Alvarado’s agent, told Daily Racing Form, which first reported the news.

The timing proves particularly unfortunate as Sovereignty (Into Mischief) is the morning-line favorite for Saturday’s GI Curlin Florida Derby.

Sellitto indicated that trainer Bill Mott is scheduled to meet with Godolphin principals on Tuesday to discuss replacement rider options for the colt.

Alvarado has partnered with Sovereignty for all four career starts, including the colt’s maiden-breaking victory in the GIII Street Sense Stakes at Churchill Downs last October. The pair most recently captured the GII Coolmore Fountain of Youth Stakes on March 1, where they delivered an impressive performance to run down TDN Rising Star River Thames (Maclean’s Music).

The Florida Derby represents a critical final prep race for Sovereignty before the Kentucky Derby, making the jockey decision particularly significant for connections.