Churchill Downs: Albarado suspended until evaluation by Kentucky licensing committee

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Jockey Robby Albarado, arrested on a fourth-degree domestic violence charge Friday, was indefinitely suspended Friday afternoon by Churchill Downs stewards, pending an appearance and evaluation by the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission Licensing Review Committee.

As a result of his suspension, he was removed from his mounts Saturday on Kentucky Derby Day at Churchill Downs. Although he did not have a mount in the Kentucky Derby, he had been scheduled to ride, among others, Tapitsly in the Churchill Downs Distaff Turf Mile and Sassy Image in the Humana Distaff.

The next Kentucky Horse Racing Commission meeting, before which Albarado could appear before the Licensing Review Committee, is May 16, said Barbara Borden, acting chief state steward.

When Albarado meets with the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission, the License Review Committee could chose to deny Albarado a license as it did trainer Richard Dutrow Jr. last year.

Albarado’s arrest Friday came for allegedly assaulting Carolina Martinez on Tuesday at his home after the two began arguing, said 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.

Albarado was arrested Friday morning and was unable to fulfill his scheduled mounts that afternoon, including his mount on Hard Not to Like in the Kentucky Oaks.

He was released from jail Friday, according to the Louisville Metro Corrections telephone notification system.

This is not Albarado’s first domestic violence arrest. Last year, he 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 and the trial is scheduled for this summer.

A telephone message left Friday for Albarado’s agent, Lenny Pike, was never returned.

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