Jockey Paco Lopez, suspended since Dec. 4 for a postrace riding crop infraction Dec. 3 at Parx Racing in which he struck an erratically racing mount in the face or neck area, will be reinstated on a conditional basis effective Jan. 23, the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority announced.
According to a statement from HISA, which sanctioned the rider, "Lopez has met all conditions required for reinstatement, demonstrating his commitment to upholding the standards of conduct and integrity expected of participants in horse racing. During his suspension, Lopez participated in required therapy sessions, which he has pledged to continue, and made sizable donations to the Permanently Disabled Jockeys' Fund and Second Call Thoroughbred Adoption and Placement."
Lopez violated HISA crop rules by striking his mount after the fifth race at Parx Dec. 3 as he brought National Law to a walk after a gallop out and approached an outrider. This followed a stretch run in which National Law bore out badly toward the outer fence in a race for 2-year-old maidens. The Colts Neck Stables-owned Constitution colt, trained by Jorge Duarte Jr., lasted for a 1 1/2-length victory after holding a seven-length advantage in midstretch. The outcome appeared in doubt until late, and the safety of the horse and rider appeared threatened.
Postrace video of track footage circulated on social media shortly after the race, leading to widespread criticism from observers, upset by the rider's use of the crop after the danger had seemingly passed.
HISA rules prevent cruelty, mistreatment, neglect, or abuse toward horses and a jockey from using their crop except in a professional manner consistent with maintaining a horse's focus and concentration for safety and encouragement to achieve optimal performance. Additionally, HISA rules require that crops should not be used on any part of a horse other than the shoulders or hindquarters, and the crop is to be used only in the post parade or after the finish to avoid a dangerous situation.
In a public statement posted to X Dec. 5, Lopez apologized for his actions, which he called "reactionary, in the heat of the moment."
One of the country's leading riders, Lopez, 39, finished with 269 victories last year despite being unable to ride for most of December. He finished fifth by victories among North American jockeys after being in second place behind Irad Ortiz Jr. at the time of his suspension. He concluded 2024 ranked 15th by earnings, with his mounts earning more than $12.3 million.
A winner of 4,038 career races from 19,542 mounts, Lopez has often been sanctioned, either for use of the crop—above the six-strike limit for jockeys—or for multiple race-riding infractions, some of which earned him lengthy suspensions.
In two high-profile examples, in February 2019, Lopez was issued a 30-day suspension at Gulfstream Park for causing a two-horse spill in which jockeys Romero Maragh and Carlos Montalvo were injured. Then several years later in 2022, he was handed a 14-day suspension for careless riding in a spill-marred Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2) at Gulfstream.
He rides primarily in South Florida during the winter months.
HISA CEO Lisa Lazarus said in response to lifting his most recent suspension, "Paco Lopez has demonstrated his commitment to conducting himself in a manner required of professional jockeys. He has expressed remorse and a desire to return to riding with a renewed understanding of the responsibility that comes with the privilege of working with horses."
