Fractured ankle will prevent Albarado from riding J Boys Echo in Kentucky Derby
LEXINGTON, Ky. – Robby Albarado fractured his left ankle when thrown from his mount several strides out of the starting gate during the eighth race Sunday at Keeneland and will be forced to miss his upcoming ride in the Kentucky Derby with J Boys Echo.
Albarado was injured when his mount, Chiltern Street, broke awkwardly from the inside post in the 5 1/2-furlong turf allowance. Albarado fell off to the right side of his mount, landing feet first. No other horses or jockeys were involved.
Keeneland track physician Dr. Barry Schumer said Albarado was transported to the nearby University of Kentucky Hospital for X-rays on the ankle and that the 43-year-old jockey was in considerable pain. He said the injury apparently occurred because of the way Albarado landed and not because the jockey was struck by his mount. Schumer was not at liberty to divulge further details.
The untimely injury means Albarado will be unable to ride J Boys Echo, winner of the Gotham Stakes for trainer Dale Romans and the Albaugh family, in the May 6 Derby. Among Albarado’s other upcoming scheduled mounts was Kentucky Oaks contender Daddys Lil Darling, a fast-closing second in the recent Ashland Stakes.
The injury comes nearly six years since Albarado suffered a facial injury that led to him being taken off his scheduled mount in the 2011 Kentucky Derby on the eventual winner, Animal Kingdom. The injury was not serious enough for Albarado to miss other mounts on the Derby undercard, but the connections of Animal Kingdom chose to replace Albarado with John Velazquez.
Albarado, a native of Louisiana and a father of four, has won 5,046 races in a career dating to 1990. He is best known as the regular rider of Mineshaft, the 2003 Horse of the Year, and Curlin, the Horse of the Year in 2007 and 2008.
Albarado was also the regular rider of Not This Time, who was retired with a lower-leg injury shortly after finishing a fast-closing second last fall in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile for Romans and the Albaughs.
A regular rider at the major Kentucky tracks for the last two decades, Albarado has ridden14 times in the Derby without a win. His best finishes were a second on Golden Soul (2013) and a pair of thirds on Steppenwolfer (2006) and Curlin (2007).
Albarado recently parted ways with his long-time agent, Lenny Pike Jr., and was being represented by Ronnie Ebanks.