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When Junior Alvarado crossed the finish line first at the Kentucky Derby last Saturday, it wasn’t just a big win for him — it was a sweet one for Long Island, too.
If you looked closely during the two-minute sprint at Churchill Downs, eagle-eyed Long Islanders might’ve noticed something familiar on Alvarado’s pants, and turtleneck:
“Hildebrandt’s” — as in the Hildebrandt’s, the iconic ice cream shop on Hillside Avenue in Williston Park.
“I mean, how cool is that?” said Zack Sarf, co-owner of Hildebrandt’s. “You’re watching the Derby, and there’s our logo. And then he wins? It was insane.”
Alvarado, who lives in Garden City, rode Sovereign to victory in 2:02.31.
After the win, he slipped on a Hildebrandt’s hat in the winner’s circle, just like he told his daughter he would before the race.
“That was the last thing I said to her before heading out,” Alvarado said during an interview with Greater Long Island, red roses from his win still in hand. “Give the hat to mom and bring it to the winner’s circle.”
Watching in disbelief
Credit: Hildebrandt’s Facebook photos
The unlikely pairing of ice cream and high-stakes horse racing started about a year and a half ago, when Alvarado first met Randy Sarf, Zack’s father and longtime co-owner of Hildebrandt’s.
Randy, who’s been around horse racing for years, heard Alvarado was heading to the Derby and didn’t hesitate.
“I asked if we could sponsor him,” Randy said. “Next thing you know, he’s saying yes — with a scoop of chocolate s’mores in his hand.”
The Sarf family watched the race in disbelief as Alvarado sprinted toward victory. “It was unbelievable just seeing the pants,” Zack said. “Then the phones started blowing up. Everyone wanted the hat.”
That exact hat — the one Alvarado wore after winning the Derby — is now for sale, both signed and unsigned, at HildebrandtsHats.com. Proceeds go to the Jockeys’ Guild.
And yes, a new flavor is coming too: the Junior mint ice cream, a tribute to the champ himself.
What’s next for Alvarado?
The Derby wasn’t Alvarado’s only bucket-list moment last week.
On May 7, just days after his big win, he threw out the first pitch at Yankee Stadium.
“When I did that, it felt like another dream come true,” he said. “I always wanted to be a baseball player, and now I’m out there like I’m one of them. I never made it to the MLB, but this came pretty close.”
Alvarado said his Derby win was the result of years of early mornings and nonstop effort, though Sovereignty will not be seeking the Triple Crown, Still, Alvarado said he will be going to Pimlico for fun, and the Saratoga Spring Horse Show.
“I worked the horses in the morning, rode in the afternoons, and trained on my own to be 120 percent ready,” he said. “Mentally and physically, you’ve got to be all in for these big races.”
And yes, Hildebrandt’s plans to keep sponsoring him.
“We’re just getting started,” Zack said.
Top: Junior Alvarado holds the trophy as he celebrates after riding Sovereignty to victory in the 151st running of the Kentucky Derby horse race at Churchill Downs Saturday, May 3, 2025, in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
