Albarado pleads not guilty

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Robby Albarado pleaded not guilty to all charges in the domestic violence case involving his wife, Kimber, when the highly decorated jockey appeared at his arraignment Tuesday in Jefferson District Court here. A hearing for April 22 was set in the case.

Albarado, who appeared in coat and tie, was charged with domestic assault, wanton endangerment, and intimidating a witness. Last Friday, he was jailed briefly before being freed on his own recognizance after being arrested for an incident that occurred the previous night at the couple's home in the east end of Louisville. Kimber Albarado took out an emergency protective order against her husband, who was ordered Tuesday not to have any contact with her.

Police officer Carey Klain, spokesperson for Louisville Metro Police, said dispatchers responding to a 911 call sent police to the Albarado home in the east end of Louisville, where the 37-year-old jockey was arrested on charges of wanton endangerment, domestic assault, and intimidating a witness. The couple has three young children.

Klain, quoting the police report on the incident, said Kimber Albarado had strangulation marks around her neck but declined medical treatment. “Apparently there was an argument that turned physical,” she said. “A cell phone was taken away and another was broken as she tried to call for help.”

Albarado recently returned from a heel injury suffered in early January to ride in 15 races at the end of the Fair Grounds meet in New Orleans. Albarado 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. He is scheduled to ride at the Keeneland meet that starts Friday.

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