Jockey Junior Alvarado hits 2,000-win milestone

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Junior Alvarado posted the 2,000th victory of his outstanding riding career Saturday when Broadway Force won the fifth race at Gulfstream Park.

Alvarado, 36, grew up as the son of a jockey in his native Venezuela, where he won his first race in December 2005. His first winner in the U.S. came in February 2007 at Gulfstream, and he’s now in the prime of his career, making New York his primary base, with his mounts having earned more than $8 million per season in nine of the last 11 years. He achieved career highs in 2013 with 191 wins and $12.8 million in mount earnings.

“It’s been an amazing career,” said Alvarado. “There have been ups and downs with injuries and everything, but I wouldn’t have it any different way.”

:: Get ready for Gulfstream Park racing with DRF Past Performances, Picks, and Clocker Reports.

Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott has been a big supporter, with Alvarado winning Grade 1 races for him in recent years aboard such standouts as Olympiad, Cody’s Wish, Speaker’s Corner, and Casa Creed.

Alvarado’s first Grade 1 win came in dramatic fashion. He won the 2010 Beverly D. aboard Eclair de Lune, owned by Richard Duchossois, the aging chairman of Arlington Park, where Alvarado was contending for leading rider that summer. Duchossois died in January 2022 at age 100.

“I knew the meaning of it for Mr. Duchossois,” Alvarado recalled. “I was happy for myself for winning my first Grade 1, but getting it done for him, that was really special. There were people crying and everything. I will never forget it.”

In notching his 2,000th, Alvarado bided his time aboard Broadway Force in the seven-furlong maiden-special race Saturday before the 4-year-old filly began gaining on the leaders. Leaving the quarter pole, Broadway Force swept to the lead, opening daylight before holding off Inviting by three-quarters of a length.

Broadway Force, trained by Jimmy Jerkens for Chiefswood Stables, returned $7.80 to win.

Alvarado achieved the milestone less than 24 hours after Tyler Gaffalione hit the same number Friday at Gulfstream.

:: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.