Jockey Robby Albarado was arrested on Friday and charged with accosting a woman who says she was breaking up with him, resulting in the veteran rider losing his spot in the Kentucky Oaks later in the day.
Albarado was accused of throwing the woman to the floor of a residence on Tuesday, according to the arrest warrant.
The woman, who had lived with Albarado, suffered a separated shoulder and bruises to her legs, an arm and shoulder, the report said.
He was charged with fourth-degree assault and released from local jail on his own recognisance.
The arrest came hours before he was scheduled to ride the filly Hard Not To Like in the $US1 million ($A977,278) Kentucky Oaks, the female version of the Kentucky Derby.
It’s the second straight year Albarado has faced assault accusations.
Last spring, Albarado was charged with wanton endangerment and domestic assault for allegedly assaulting his wife, Kimber Albarado. Those charges later were dismissed and he pleaded guilty to attempting to interfere with a witness.
His wife has filed for divorce.
Albarado is third on the all-time wins list at Churchill Downs with 935 victories.
He had a full book of rides on Friday’s race card at Churchill but was scratched from each race.
Albarado has won more than 4300 races in a career marred by injuries.
In last year’s Derby, Albarado was named to ride eventual winner Animal Kingdom but was injured in a race fall three days before the race.
He suffered a broken nose and facial cuts, and was replaced by fellow rider John Velazquez.
Albarado was the regular rider for dual Horse of the Year Curlin and 2003 Horse of the Year Mineshaft.
His only Triple Crown win was the 2007 Preakness with Curlin.
