Gulfstream Park: Jockey Lopez receives 10-day suspension

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Jockey Paco Lopez has been handed a 10-day suspension by the stewards for his ride aboard Exclusive Strike who was disqualified from first and placed last for causing interference that led to jockey Luis Saez falling from his mount, He’s Alright, in Thursday’s ninth race.

Lopez, the defending Gulfstream Park riding champion, had regained the lead in the standings from John Velazquez earlier Thursday after winning both ends of the daily double. Despite the disqualification, he still won four races overall on Thursday’s program and then returned to notch three more winners on Friday’s twilight card.

Lopez’s agent, Cory Moran, said he and his rider have not yet decided whether to accept or appeal the ruling.

Longshots combine for Saturday double

Saturday’s program, blemished by heavy rains, which hit shortly before post time for the opener, began in shocking fashion with victories by the 50-1 County Trick and 18-1 Roaring Conquest in the early daily double.

County Trick had not finished better than seventh and was beaten an average of nearly 25 lengths in each of his first five previous starts. He was ridden to victory by apprentice Jose Alvarez and gave trainer Donna Green her first win of the meet.

Roaring Conquest, a New York-bred, was jumping back into maiden special weight company after finishing third in two previous maiden-claiming races here earlier this winter. Roaring Conaquest is trained by Robert Reinacher Jr. and was ridden by Manuel Cruz.