Churchill Downs: Albarado, agent part ways

Lenny Pike will no longer represent the suspended jockey Robby Albarado, and has accepted a position as agent for jockey Shaun Bridgmohan.

The change comes just days after Albarado was arrested for fourth-degree domestic violence, an incident that led Kentucky stewards to suspend him indefinitely, pending an evaluation by the Licensing Committee of the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission.

At a Tuesday arraignment, Albarado pleaded not guilty to the charge.

“Robby and I have been together for 16 years, and by no means is this the end of our relationship,” Pike said. “In the meantime, I was afforded an opportunity to go to work for Shaun, and I accepted.”

Bridgmohan’s former agent, Anthony Martin, is expected to return to Louisiana, where he has spent time previously as an agent.

Albarado could meet with the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission as early as its next scheduled meeting May 16.

Albarado was arrested Friday morning, Kentucky Oaks Day, and was unable to fulfill his mounts. He was suspended indefinitely by track stewards later that afternoon, causing him to miss several stakes mounts on the Kentucky Derby card.

Albarado, best known as the rider of two-time Horse of the Year Curlin, is alleged to have assaulted Carolina Martinez on May 1 at his Louisville home, according to Carl Yates, spokesman for the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department. Martinez was later treated in a Louisville hospital for an injured shoulder and bruising to her legs, Yates said.

Last year Albarado was charged with assaulting a different woman, his wife, Kimber, although charges of domestic assault and wanton endangerment were dismissed and he pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of interfering with a witness.

The Associated Press reported Friday that his wife has filed for divorce.

– additional reporting by Marty McGee