Jockey Alvarado Draws Suspension; Failed Drug Test After Riding Incident

Jockey Frank Alvarado, whose horse ran into another at the end of a race Sept. 13, has been suspended for 60 days by stewards at Fairplex Park in Pomona because of a positive test for cocaine.

Alvarado was removed from his mounts Saturday but announcement of the suspension was delayed until stewards could meet with the jockey and his agent. Alvarado’s suspension will last until Nov. 19.

Dennis Hutcheson, executive secretary of the California Horse Racing Board, said that Alvarado was tested after the Sept. 13 incident because stewards believed his behavior was abnormal.

Said Hutcheson: “At the finish of a race, (Alvarado) rammed his horse into the back of another horse. The other horse was ridden by a jockey (whom Alvarado) had been feuding with. The stewards felt they had reasonable cause (to test).”

According to John DeSantis, Alvarado’s agent, Alvarado will undergo drug rehabilitation.

“We’re getting it set up right now,” DeSantis said. “He tested positive for cocaine and now he’s going to get help. That’s the main thing.”

Alvarado’s most recent major victory was on Eternity Star in the Del Mar Derby. According to terms of the suspension, he will be eligible to exercise horses on Nov. 1.