Albarado pleads to lesser charge

Jockey Robby Albarado came to a plea agreement Wednesday in Jefferson County, Ky., in the March 31 domestic violence case brought against him by his wife, Kimber. The deal suspends a one-year jail sentence if he undergoes a 28-week intervention program and a drug and alcohol assessment.

Albarado pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of interfering with a witness in exchange for felony charges of domestic assault and wanton endangerment being dismissed. The case stems from a March 31 incident at the Albarado home in east Louisville.

Albarado, currently active at Keeneland, has been named to ride Animal Kingdom in the May 7 Kentucky Derby. Albarado, 37, has won numerous major events in more than 20 years of riding and has been the regular rider for Horses of the Year Mineshaft (2003) and Curlin (2007-08). He has ridden nearly 4,300 winners and has more than $167 million in mount earnings.

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