How Did Venezuelan Jockey Junior Alvarado and His Horse Chief Wallabee Do at the 2026 Kentucky Derby? [FOTOS]

Venezuelan jockey Junior Alvarado arrived at the 2026 Kentucky Derby with a great opportunity to shine aboard Chief Wallabee, the William Mott-trained colt who emerged as one of the most intriguing names in the race. The horse arrived at Churchill Downs with only a handful of races under his belt. Chief Wallabee has demonstrated grit, late-running speed, and the competitive spirit that is often crucial in such an unpredictable Derby. For Alvarado, this was another great opportunity to prove why he remains one of the most respected Latin American jockeys in American racing.

Chief Wallabee’s path to Louisville includes solid efforts against quality company, especially in the Fountain of Youth and Florida Derby.He handled Commandment well enough in both races to keep himself on the radar, and his closing move in the Florida Derby was strong enough to strengthen the case for Kentucky. That kind of progression matters in the Derby, where horses do not just need talent — they need timing, patience, and the ability to settle early before making a move late. Chief Wallabee does not look like a finished product yet, but he does look like a colt with enough heart to stay in the mix. That makes him a live outsider rather than just another longshot in a crowded race.

The post position also adds another layer of difficulty.Chief Wallabee will need a smart break, a clean trip, and enough positional speed to avoid being trapped in traffic early.In a 20-horse Derby field, that is often as important as raw ability, especially for a lightly raced horse still learning how to handle pressure. Alvarado’s experience could be a major asset here, since Derby success often depends on reading the race before it fully unfolds. If he can keep Chief Wallabee relaxed and within striking distance, the colt has a real chance to make his best move late.

There are also reasons for caution. The Kentucky Derby has not always been kind to horses that arrive with heavy buzz, and betting favorites or “wise-guy” horses do not always deliver under the pressure of the first Saturday in May. Adding blinkers for the Derby is another factor that can help focus a horse, but it does not guarantee a winning outcome. Still, Chief Wallabee has the profile of a runner who could outrun his odds if the pace and trip work in his favor. For Hispanic fans following the race in the U.S., Alvarado’s presence adds another layer of interest to one of the year’s biggest sporting events.

This is how Venezuelan jockey Junior Alvarado and his horse Chief Wallabee fared in the 2026 Kentucky Derby

Golden Tempo won the Kentucky Derby on Saturday, making Cherie DeVaux the first woman to train the winner of the inaugural leg of the Triple Crown. Renegade finished second, ridden by José’s brother, Irad Ortiz Jr., while the biggest surprise was Ocelli, who finished third. Venezuelan jockey Junior Alvarado and his horse Chief Wallabee did not make it to the podium.

Jockey/Horse Leaderboard for the 2026 Kentucky Derby

* SCR (Scratch) indicates that a horse that was initially entered for a race will not compete.

There is no published, verifiable final result yet for how Héctor I. Berrios and Intrepido finished in the 2026 Kentucky Derby.

2026 Kentucky Derby latest news about chilean jockey Junior Alvarado and his horse Chief Wallabee

• Chief Wallabee is entered for the 2026 Kentucky Derby with Venezuelan jockey Junior Alvarado named as his rider.
• Chief Wallabee is trained by Bill Mott and that Alvarado is his jockey for the Derby, with the horse drawn in post 12 on the official advance list.

SOBRE EL AUTOR

Ronie Bautista

Periodista y SEO del Grupo El Comercio con experiencia en investigación y coberturas de alto impacto para EE. UU., México y España. Mi expertise fusiona el análisis de actualidad con una especialización profunda en Deportes (F1, MLB, Boxeo, WWE, etc.), Tecnología y Gaming. Transformo datos en narrativa relevante para la audiencia hispana global.