Junior Alvarado facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Junior Alvarado |
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| Born | May 20, 1986 Maracaibo, Venezuela |
| Career wins | 2,144 (as at 5/03/25) |
| Major racing wins | |
| Arlington-Washington Lassie Stakes (2009) Arlington-Washington Futurity Stakes (2010) Beverly D. Stakes (2010) Broadway Stakes (2011, 2015, 2018) Damon Runyon Stakes (2011, 2020) Hollie Hughes Handicap (2011, 2013, 2016) Pucker Up Stakes (2011) Turnback The Alarm Handicap (2011) Falls City Handicap (2011) Athenia Stakes (2012) Fred "Cappy" Capossela Stakes (2012) Honorable Miss Handicap (2012) Prioress Stakes (2012) Vagrancy Handicap (2012, 2013) Victory Ride Stakes (2012) Beaugay Stakes (2013) Cigar Mile Handicap (2013) Distaff Handicap (2013) Forego Stakes (2013) Fort Marcy Stakes (2013) Mervin Handicap Muniz Jr. Handicap (2013) Suburban Handicap (2013, 2015) Westchester Stakes (2013) Iowa Oaks (2014) Whitney Stakes (2014) Honey Fox Stakes (2015, 2016) Jessamine Stakes (2015) Kent Stakes (2015) Madison Stakes (2015) Nashua Stakes (2015) New York Stakes (2015) Remsen Stakes (2015) Saratoga Special Stakes (2015) Top Flight Handicap (2015) Del Mar Oaks (2016) Fall Highweight Handicap (2016) Fountain of Youth Stakes (2016) Holy Bull Stakes (2016) Just a Game Stakes (2016) Pin Oak Valley View Stakes (2016) Ballston Spa Stakes (2016) Canadian Stakes (2017) Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes (2017) Adirondack Stakes (2018) Gotham Stakes (2018) Damon Runyon Stakes (2020) Belmont Derby (2020) Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (2022, 2023) Kentucky Derby (2025) |
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| Racing awards | |
| Arlington Park Champion Jockey (2009) | |
| Significant horses | |
| Cody's Wish, Just FYI, Flat Out, Mohaymen, Moreno, Lubash, Sovereignty | |
Junior Rafael Alvarado, born on May 20, 1986, is a talented jockey from Venezuela. He competes in the exciting sport of Thoroughbred horse racing in the United States. Junior won his very first race in Venezuela in 2005. He then moved to the U.S. in 2007 and quickly won his first American race in Florida.
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About Junior Alvarado
Junior's father, Rafael Alvarado, was also a jockey in Venezuela. When Junior was born, his father wanted to name him Rafael Alvarado Jr. However, due to a mistake, his name was officially registered as Junior Rafael Alvarado.
Junior's Major Wins
Junior Alvarado has won many important races throughout his career. He has shown great skill and teamwork with the horses he rides. Some of his notable wins include:
- Arlington-Washington Lassie Stakes (2009)
- Arlington-Washington Futurity Stakes (2010)
- Beverly D. Stakes (2010)
- Cigar Mile Handicap (2013)
- Whitney Stakes (2014)
- Fountain of Youth Stakes (2016)
- Holy Bull Stakes (2016)
- Just a Game Stakes (2016)
- Belmont Derby (2020)
- Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (2022, 2023)
Kentucky Derby Success
Junior Alvarado has competed in the famous Kentucky Derby several times. This is one of the biggest races in horse racing!
- In 2016, he rode the horse Mohaymen to a fourth-place finish.
- In 2018, he rode Enticed.
- In 2025, Junior Alvarado achieved a huge victory. He won the 2025 Kentucky Derby while riding a horse named Sovereignty. They won with odds of 7-1, which means it was a big surprise for many!
Preakness Stakes Performance
Junior also competed in the 2012 Preakness Stakes, another major race. He finished fourth in that race while riding a horse named Zetterholm.
Career Highlights and Awards
Junior Alvarado has had a very successful career with over 2,100 wins. His talent was recognized early on when he was named the Arlington Park Champion Jockey in 2009. He has ridden many famous horses, including Cody's Wish, Just FYI, Flat Out, Mohaymen, Moreno, Lubash, and Sovereignty.
