Jockey Junior Alvarado’s career has blossomed since he began riding regularly for Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott. He made personal breakthroughs this season with Sovereignty in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve, the Belmont Stakes Presented by NYRA Bets, and the DraftKings Travers Stakes. Alvarado, 39, reflects on that journey and discusses challenges ahead in the $7 million Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic in a diary co-written with Tom Pedulla on behalf of America’s Best Racing.

Amazing.

That is the word I keep coming back to when I am asked to describe what would be a dream season for any jockey.

Alvarado guiding Cody's Wish to victory in 2022 Westchester. (Eclipse Sportswire)

I came to the United States from Venezuela with the goal of becoming a top rider. It is so hard to get there. Only a few years ago, I was thinking about retiring. Injuries had really set me back. Even when I was winning with certain mounts and had done nothing wrong, I was losing those horses when they were ready for stakes races because they wanted jockeys with bigger reputations. I told my wife, Kelly, that maybe it was time for me to take a different direction. I thought about buying a farm in Ocala, making a fresh start.

Kelly, who is always there for me and our three children, kept pushing me to continue. So did my agent, Mike Sellitto, another person who is always there for me. Everything changed the day Mike called and told me Bill Mott wanted me to ride Cody’s Wish in the Westchester Stakes at Belmont Park in May of 2022.

The horse was still trying to put it all together. He had everything he needed to succeed but he wasn’t the easiest to get along with. He tended to start poorly and wanted to take his time in races, dropping far back and leaving himself with a lot to do. If you tried to rush him, he did not appreciate it and you would not get his best.

While it took time to learn about each other, we made a great team. He gave me my first Breeders’ Cup victory in the Dirt Mile in 2022. When he won the Dirt Mile for the second consecutive season, it clinched Horse of the Year.

I really want to see Sovereignty become Horse of the Year. He clinched the Eclipse Award for 3-year-olds with the way he ran in the Travers for sure, so this is the only thing left.

Unforgettable Kentucky Derby for Alvarado family. (Eclipse Sportswire)

I have always had a lot of confidence in Sovereignty. Kelly was planning to come to the Kentucky Derby alone. My family means everything to me and we talk about making memories together. I really felt I had the horse to give me my first Kentucky Derby, so I told Kelly how much I wanted Adrian, Adalyn, and Axel there.

I wanted them to be able to say, ‘We were in the winner’s circle the day our dad won the Kentucky Derby.’ Having the five us of together for that incredible experience means everything to me. It was a day none of us will ever forget. I will always be grateful to Godolphin, which bred and owned Cody’s Wish and Sovereignty, for the opportunities they gave me. I do everything I can to reward them for their confidence in me.

Bill has always been careful about not asking Sovereignty for too much. He wasn’t cranked 100% for the Jim Dandy Stakes, his Travers prep. I knew I had enough to win and I was careful to ask him for just enough to make that happen. It was just about getting the job done that day. We didn’t come close to getting to the bottom of him that day.

I am pretty sure we will need to get to the bottom of Sovereignty in the Classic. I cannot remember a Classic with so many good horses. Almost anyone can win.

I would not trade places with anyone. When it comes to having a horse ready for a big race, no one is better than Bill. We know for sure that the distance is no problem for my horse. He’s run three times at a mile and a quarter and won each time.

Sovereignty training at Del Mar in preparation for the Classic. (Eclipse Sportswire)

He is facing older horses for the first time but he is a later-developing horse. He is a big guy and he has matured. He is easier to get along with than Cody’s Wish and that means a lot in a hard race like this. With more experience, he makes things easier on himself by getting into the race earlier.

The big thing is for me to stay out of Sovereignty’s way. I will do everything I can to give him a clean break from the starting gate. I know he will put himself right into the fight and we will be forwardly placed. I am not too worried about the pace. If it’s a hot pace, I can bide my time. If it’s slow, we’ll be close to the pace. I’m fine either way.

It’s a great feeling as a jockey to know that you’ve got the horse and that he will do whatever you ask him to do. Every time you move your hands, he’s right there for you. It’s easier to stay out of trouble that way. He travels beautifully. When some of the other horses are starting to get tired, he’ll jump in the bridle and let me know he is there whenever I tell him to go.

I love my horse. If he runs the race I expect him to run, he’s going to be extremely hard to beat. I don’t see any horse as fast as him if he brings his ‘A’ game, to be honest.

I am pretty confident in what I have in the Classic. In a year of firsts, this would be the cherry on top for me. My family will be coming to Del Mar as we look to make more memories together.