Robby Albarado obtains court order to resume riding; shifts tack to Arlington

Jockey Robby Albarado, who was suspended by the Kentucky Horse Racing Board while awaiting trial in connection with a domestic violence charge, was granted a temporary restraining order by a Kentucky judge Friday. The judge’s order allows Albarado to begin riding again, which he intends to do next week at Arlington Park in Illinois.

Judge Thomas Wingate of Franklin Circuit Court issued the order, which will remain in place until the racing commission provides certain records sought by Albarado’s lawyer and an administrative hearing is held.

An Arlington jockey’s agent, Jay Fedor, said that he has agreed to handle Albarado’s business and that Albarado will start accepting mounts at Arlington on Friday, June 1.

“He’s going to be out working horses Thursday and will start riding Friday,” said Fedor.

Days after Albarado’s arrest, he and agent Lenny Pike ended a long business relationship. Albarado once rode regularly at Arlington, but has not been part of the local jockey colony since 2007.

Albarado was arrested on May 4 and charged with fourth-degree assault of Carolina Martinez, who has said she is Albarado’s girlfriend.

It was the second time that Albarado, a leading rider in Kentucky, had been charged with domestic assault. Last year, Albarado was arrested after being accused of domestic assault against his wife, Kimber Albarado. The charges were dismissed after Albarado pleaded guilty to attempting to interfere with a witness. Kimber Albarado has filed for divorce.

Kentucky stewards had required that Albarado avoid any more criminal charges in order to retain his license. The stewards suspended him indefinitely after his latest arrest, which cost him a mount in the Kentucky Oaks at Churchill Downs.
Albarado is third on Churchill’s all-time wins list.