Home  > Handicapping > Jockey Bios > Frank Alvarado

Frank Alvarado

Frank Alvarado Born: November 10, 1968 Panama City, Panama

FRANK ALVARADO

Born: November 10, 1968, Panama City, Panama 

Became the first Bay Area-based jockey to win a $1 million race when he guided McCann’s Mojave to a 33-to-1 shocker in the 2007 Sunshine Millions Classic at Gulfstream Park.  

Has been the second-leading jockey at the past three major meetings in Northern California (2008 Golden Gate Fields spring, 2008 Bay Meadows spring, and 2007-2008 GGF winter).

Was also runner-up to perennial Bay Area champ Russell Baze at four other major meetings (2005 BM winter/spring, 2004-2005 GGF winter, 2001 BM fall, and 2000 BM fall).

Had a very successful campaign at the 2008 Golden Gate Fields spring meeting, riding
27 winners during the 30-day season and capturing three stakes – the $150,000 Berkeley with McCann’s Mojave, the $75,000 Golden Poppy with Misty Ocean, and the $75,000 Oakland with Bonfante.

Captured three stakes with Bonfante during a three-month period in 2008 – the Grade 3 Bay Meadow Sprint, the California Turf Sprint Championship, and the Oakland.

Teamed with McCann’s Mojave to win the Grade 3 All American Stakes in 2007 and the Union Square Stakes in 2006.
 
Won the Grade 3 Bay Meadows Handicap in 2007 with Now Victory.  Also guided Now
Victory to back-to-back triumphs (2006-2007) in the Joseph T. Grace Handicap.

Guided the Bobby Frankel-trained Eternity Star to victory in the Grade 2 $300,000 Del Mar Derby in 1991.

Hustled the maiden Cousins Lew to a victory in the $75,000 Malcolm Anderson Stakes at Golden Gate Fields in June 2005.

Has also won stakes with Jimmy Z (2002 Forty-Niner Handicap), Private Banking (2006 Marina Stakes and 2007 Autumn Leaves Handicap), Zoning In (2006 Malcolm Anderson Stakes), Court’s in Session (2006 Ernest Finley Handicap), Vaderator (2007 Fairfax Stakes), Charm the Giant (2007 Hillsborough Handicap), Shermeen (2007 Luther Burbank Handicap), and Congo Kaye (2008 Juan Gonzalez Memorial).

Rode a “perfect game” on Dec. 1, 2004, at Golden Gate Fields when he won with each of his five mounts.  A victory in the $22,500 feature race capped the 5-for-5 day.

Began riding career in Panama in 1984 and won his first race on April 24, 1984, at Presidente Remon Racetrack aboard Gold Son. 

Came to U.S. in 1990 and competed in Florida.  Moved tack to Southern California in 1991, then to New York in 1993.  He was the eighth-leading rider in New York in 1994 with 142 victories.

Returned to Southern California in 1997 and then moved to the Bay Area in 2000.