Alvarado draws fine, 3-day ban for Belmont Stakes ride

Horseracing Integrity and Safety Auuthority stewards fined jockey Junior Alvarado $3,000 and suspended him three racing days for crop use in Belmont Stakes 2026.

Alvarado struck Chief Wallabee eight times in the June 6 Triple Crown finale at Saratoga, a Class 3 violation that HISA defines as one to three strikes over the permitted limit. The ruling marked the rider's third such offense in 180 days. Alvarado waived a hearing.

The infraction did not cost Chief Wallabee his placing. The Bill Mott-trained colt, who carried 3-1 morning-line odds, finished fourth behind Golden Tempo. The Cherie DeVaux trainee took the Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes, and Chief Wallabee ran fourth in the Derby as well after a third-place finish in the Florida Derby (G1).

Alvarado will serve the suspension on June 21, June 25 and June 26. Stewards gave the rider 30 days to pay the fine.