Alvarado to miss at least a week after spill

ELMONT, N.Y. – Jockey Junior Alvarado will miss at least one week of riding as a result of the spill in which he was involved during Friday’s sixth race at Belmont Park.

Since Alvarado was semi-unconscious after falling from Sword Fighter at the top of the stretch in a six-furlong turf allowance race, Alvarado needs a letter from a neurologist clearing him to ride, according to Steve Lewandowski, steward for the New York State Gaming Commission.

There are no official concussion protocols in place at the New York Racing Association, but the stewards have been requiring clearance letters from a neurologist when a potential head injury is involved, according to Lewandowski.

Mike Sellitto, the agent for Alvarado, said Alvarado was not officially diagnosed with a concussion but said Alvarado is scheduled to meet with a neurologist Monday or Tuesday.

Alvarado was hit in the face with a clod of turf approaching the quarter pole of Friday’s sixth race. He was dazed, lost his balance, and fell from Sword Fighter, who was uninjured. Alvarado was hit by a trailing horse. According to Sellitto, Alvarado has a hairline fracture of his lower lumbar, but Sellitto said doctors told him, “If I didn’t tell you it was there, you wouldn’t know it was there.”

Alvarado was named to ride in seven races Saturday at Belmont Park, though Mythical Mission was to scratch from the Grade 3, $200,000 Noble Damsel. Alvarado was named to ride Realm in the Grade 2, $300,000 Kelso Handicap and the promising Timber Ghost in an allowance race. Alvarado was named to ride Split Time in the Charles Town Oaks Saturday night, but that horse was expected to scratch.

On Sunday, Alvarado was named on seven horses, including Holiday Disguise in the Grade 2, $300,000 Gallant Bloom Handicap and Red Knight in the $125,000 Ashley T. Cole.

Sellitto said Alvarado was named on one horse Wednesday, and he will not accept calls for Thursday or Friday.

Sellitto said it is likely Alvarado will miss all of next week at Belmont, and he is hopeful of Alvarado being able to ride starting Oct. 3.

Alvarado won two races on Friday’s card, giving him three wins from 15 mounts at the Belmont meet.