Following a conversation between Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority CEO Lisa Lazarus and representatives of jockey Paco Lopez Dec. 5, HISA has decided to suspend Lopez indefinitely.
Lopez came under fire Dec. 3 after Parx Racing cameras caught him using his crop to strike 2-year-old National Law in the head/neck area while slowing to a walk after a gallop-out. The colt had just won a one-mile-and-70-yard maiden special weight while racing erratically in the stretch, nearly running into the outside railing.
KING: HISA Provisionally Suspends Lopez for Postrace Strike
HISA handed Lopez a provisional suspension Dec. 4 and, according to Lazarus, both parties agreed on Lopez’s indefinite suspension Thursday. HISA has legal jurisdiction in most, but not all, racing states in the country.
Lopez posted on X Thursday apologizing and stating that seeing all the online discourse caused him to reflect on his actions.
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“I take full responsibility for my actions,” Lopez said in the post. “I am aware that our sport is under a lot of scrutiny and I fully apologize to everyone involved in our sport—fans, horsemen, management, racing commissions, HISA and of course, National Law.
“My actions were reactionary, in the heat of the moment, and I am truly sorry.”
Paco Lopez tries to keep control of National Law as he drifts to the outside rail in a maiden special weight at Parx Racing
Lopez confirmed that he plans to take time away from racing and that he would seek appropriate counseling to “work on myself.”
“It cannot be overstated how much I love horses and this industry,” Lopez said. “Horseracing has been my whole life and I look forward to a return in the near future.”
Lopez’s return will come with a couple of conditions. Lazarus stated that she and Lopez’s representatives agreed that the jockey would make meaningful donations to the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund and Thoroughbred aftercare organization Second Call by the end of 2024. Once Lopez has completed his counseling program, HISA and Lopez’s representatives will meet again to discuss his progress.
“Once HISA is satisfied Lopez has dealt with his issues and is ready to commit himself to prioritizing horse welfare and the safety of his fellow jockeys, we will discuss his eventual return to Thoroughbred racing,” Lazarus said.
Lopez was booked to ride five horses Dec. 7 at Jamaica’s Caymanas Park for their Mouttet Mile card. Cory Moran, Lopez’s agent, told BloodHorse Thursday that Lopez will not be riding Saturday.
