Jockey Lopez suspended for role in Wild Applause spill
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The New York stewards have suspended jockey Paco Lopez 30 calendar days for “gross careless riding” during the running of the Wild Applause Stakes on July 3 at Saratoga, alleging that his actions led to the scary four-horse spill in which one horse and one rider were injured.
The suspension was first reported by Thoroughbred Daily News. The New York State Gaming Commission released the text of the suspension Wednesday afternoon. In it, the Commission acknowledged that Lopez has appealed, and a stay has been granted. The ruling further states that the Commission can terminate the stay if a hearing in the matter is not held within 90 days.
In the Wild Applause, Lopez was aboard I Love Giraffes, who was racing third outside of Pillar of Beauty and Candy Monshine. At the quarter pole, I Love Giraffes clipped heels with Pillar of Beauty and I Love Giraffes fell, unseating Lopez. Lovely Grey (Dylan Davis), Paris Carver (Javier Castellano), and Smexy (Tyler Gaffalione) also fell, unseating their riders.
I Love Giraffes suffered a fractured hip, but the other three horses were reported to be uninjured.
Castellano suffered a lower-back injury and general soreness and will be out until July 29. Lopez, Gaffalione, and Davis have all since returned to riding. Lopez rode at Delaware Park on Wednesday.
Lopez is the regular rider of Preakness winner Napoelon Solo and the champion sprinter Book’em Danno. Napoleon Solo is pointing to the Grade 1 Haskell on July 18, while Book’em Danno will run in the $200,000 Mr. Prospector Stakes the previous day. Both races are at Monmouth Park.
Entering Wednesday’s action, Lopez was the leading rider at three current meets – Monmouth Park, Delaware Park, and Colonial Downs. Nationally, in 2026, Lopez ranks third in wins with 178 and eighth in purse money won at $7.08 million.
Beginning last fall and lasting until this spring, Lopez served a six-month suspension issued by the Horse Racing Integrity and Safety Authority for multiple violations, including raising his whip above his helmet aboard Book’em Danno in the Grade 1 Forego Stakes at Saratoga.
During his suspension, Lopez rode at Delta Downs and Fair Grounds, two tracks in Louisiana, a state that does not operate under HISA rules. At Fair Grounds, Lopez tied for fourth in the standings with 45 wins.