Churchill Downs: Albarado off Oaks Day mounts following arrest for domestic violence

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Jockey Robby Albarado was arrested Friday morning and is off his mounts at Churchill Downs on Kentucky Oaks Day.

Albarado was arrested at 9:15 a.m. Eastern Friday at his Louisville home, said Carl Yates, spokesman for the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department. He was arrested on a warrant for fourth degree-assault domestic violence, the spokesman said.

Later in the day, Albarado was suspended indefinitely by Churchill Downs stewards.

Yates said the alleged domestic violence occurred Tuesday at Albarado’s home in eastern Louisville. According to police reports, Yates said, there was an altercation between Albarado and Carolina Martinez, and afterward she was treated at a Louisville area hospital for a shoulder injury.

“What she alleges happened was there was an argument over a telephone, a cell phone, and it escalated and she retreated to the bathroom,” Yates said. “Apparently he broke the door to gain access. They struggled. There was pushing and grabbing and apparently her shoulder was injured.”

Albarado was arrested at his residence without incident, Yates said, and as of midday Friday was being held on full-cash bond, awaiting arraignment.

This is not Albarado’s first brush with the law. Last year he was charged with assaulting a different woman, his wife, although charges of domestic assault and wanton endangerment were dismissed and he pleased guilty to a lesser charge of interfering with a witness.

Barbara Borden, Acting Chief State Steward, said track stewards wanted to review the details of the arrest before determining what action, if any, they might take against Albarado. Whether he can fulfill his mounts on Saturday, Derby Day, has not been determined, she said.

Albarado does not have a mount in the Kentucky Derby, but has other scheduled rides on the card, including Sassy Image the defending champion in the Grade 1 Humana Distaff.

Friday, he was replaced by jockey Rafael Bejarano aboard Kentucky Oaks starter Hard Not To Like.

A telephone message left for Albarado’s agent, Lenny Pike, seeking comment, was not immediately returned.

Albarado is best known for being the regular jockey of Curlin, the Horse of the Year in 2007 and 2008.