HISA reinstates Lopez from indefinite suspension

Veteran jockey Paco Lopez, who was issued an indefinite suspension in early December by the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority for striking a horse after a race, will be allowed to return to riding as of Jan. 23, HISA said on Saturday morning.

Lopez, who had been issued seven other citations from HISA over the past year for improper whip use, has “met all conditions for reinstatement,” HISA said. During his suspension, Lopez has participated in therapy sessions, HISA said, and made contributions to the Permanently Disabled Jockeys’ Fund and a Thoroughbred aftercare organization.

“Paco Lopez has demonstrated his commitment to conducting himself in a manner required of professional jockeys,” said Lisa Lazarus, the chief executive officer of HISA. “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.”

While violations of whip rules typically result in fines or suspensions of several days, HISA issued the indefinite suspension after Lopez struck a horse across the neck with his whip while galloping to the winner’s circle on Dec. 3. The horse, National Law, had won the fifth race at Parx racetrack outside of Philadelphia just minutes earlier, but only after Lopez had struggled to control the horse to the wire.

The incident was caught on Parx’s simulcast feed and created an uproar within the racing industry. At the time the suspension was issued, Lopez issued an apology, saying the abuse was “reactionary, in the heat of the moment.”

Lopez was second in the national rider standings by wins at the time of his suspension, with 269 wins from 1,313 mounts. For his career, Lopez has won 4,038 races from 19,542 mounts, with total purse earnings of $152.6 million.

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