Context:

Junior Alvarado, the jockey who rode Sovereignty to victory in the 151st Kentucky Derby, faces scrutiny for exceeding the allowable number of whip strikes during the race. Although Alvarado admitted to losing count and using the whip more than the permitted six times, he could face a significant fine and potential suspension. Despite this controversy, he was voted Jockey of the Week. Sovereignty, the winning horse, will skip the Preakness to rest and prepare for the Belmont Stakes, a decision reflecting a growing trend in racing to space out significant competitions for horses' well-being. This year's Derby winner lineage traces back to Secretariat, adding to the prestige of Sovereignty's victory.

Dive Deeper:

• Junior Alvarado rode Sovereignty to victory in the Kentucky Derby but is under scrutiny for possibly violating HISA rules by using the whip more than six times during the race.

• Alvarado admitted to using the whip excessively due to the intense pressure of the race and is potentially facing a fine of up to $31,000, which is 10% of his $310,000 earnings from the race.

• The fine is based on HISA regulations which aim to protect horses by limiting the use of the whip, and Alvarado could also face a one-day suspension and a loss of license points.

• Despite the incident, Alvarado was honored as Jockey of the Week by a panel of racing experts, recognizing his overall performance and achievement in the Derby.

• Sovereignty will not compete in the Preakness, as his team opts to rest him before the Belmont Stakes, a decision aligning with a trend to prioritize horses' long-term health and career longevity.

• Trainer Bill Mott emphasized the importance of spacing races to extend the horses' careers beyond the intense five-week Triple Crown period.

• Sovereignty is a noteworthy descendant of Secretariat and the third son of Into Mischief to win the Kentucky Derby, highlighting his prestigious lineage and the significant achievement of winning the race.

• The Kentucky Derby generates millions of dollars for winning horse owners, and it provides plenty of entertainment for fans watching at Churchill Downs and across the country. However, the well-being of the centerpiece of this event - the horses - has long since been scrutinized. 

• Thankfully, rules are in place in horse racing to ensure each competing thoroughbred's health and safety. However, it looks like a big rule may have been broken during the 151st Kentucky Derby on Saturday, May 3, as one of the horses was allegedly hit too many times during the televised race. 

• In his first-ever Run for the Roses appearance over the weekend, jockey Junior Alvarado rode the stunning #18 horse, Sovereignty, who won the race.

• However, the jockey is now being scrutinized for his treatment of Sovereignty during the race. 

• According to "Bloodhorse," Alvarado faces a fine for "excessive use of the whip" on the horse. Under HISA rules, jockeys aren't allowed to use the crop more than six times.

• The outlet reports that he hit the horse at least seven times, including once after Sovereignty took a clear lead near the sixteenth pole. 

• Alvarado said he realized he used the whip too many times after he won the race. 

• "I couldn't keep track of that," he told the outlet, adding, "It's such a big race, there's so much that you've got on your mind." 

• While hitting the horse too many times to lead him to victory wasn't at the forefront of his thoughts, he could now face a fine.

• If it's confirmed that he did exceed the six-strike limit, he faces a $250 or 10% of the jockey's portion of the purse, whichever is greater, for going 1-3 strikes over, according to HISA rules. 

• The Kentucky Derby winner gets $3.1 million, and the jockey usually receives a $310,000 payout, making the fine an estimated $31,000. 

• "I wasn't galloping by 10 (lengths). When the extra whip happened, I was right next to the favorite and I needed to do what I needed to do at the time," Alvarado, who's been a jockey since 2007, said. "After (watching the replay), I saw I went over, but I had no time to think about that. I just wanted to win the biggest race in America."

• In addition to the fine, Alvarado could also receive a one day suspension and lose three points on his license. 

• "I'm gonna have to take the penalty that I am probably going to be handed," Alvarado told the outlet. "There's nothing I can do."

• Despite admitting to hitting the horse too many times, a panel of racing experts unanimously voted Alvarado Jockey of the Week for the week of April 28 to May 4. 

• Why Sovereignty isn't competing for the Triple Crown