Paco Lopez

It wasn't a perfect night for Paco Lopez Thursday night at Delta Downs as he was 0-for-2, finishing eighth with his first mount of the night and third in his second try. But, according to his agent, Jose Garcia, Lopez saw it as a positive night for the simple fact that he was back doing what he loves. "He was very happy to be back," Garcia said. "You have a rider who, basically, loves to ride horses." Lopez had not ridden since Sept. 22 at Parx. Afterward he was suspended...

The 2025 GI Breeders' Cup Sprint will not include what may be the best sprinter in training. Trainer Derek Ryan announced Saturday that his star New Jersey-bred Book 'em Danno (Bucchero) is done for the year. Ryan had never fully committed to the Breeders' Cup, saying it was "50-50" in previous interviews. The story was first reported by the Paulick Report. "We've decided to wind it up for the year," Ryan said. "I think he's done enough. He's had a hard and tough campaign. Look what he did at Saratoga...

One day after the Jockeys' Guild issued a statement that excoriated the Horse Racing Safety and Integrity Authority for suspending Paco Lopez for six months, HISA CEO Lisa Lazarus issued a statement defending the Authority's actions. In a January 17 order signed by both HISA and Lopez's representatives, the parties agreed that "this two-year suspension is probated contingent upon Lopez not committing another violation of HISA Rules that involves conduct similar to the conduct at issue in the Notice within two years of the date of this Order. If Lopez...

The Jockeys' Guild of America issued a press release on Thursday afternoon responding to the suspension of Paco Lopez by HISA, which is reproduced here in its entirety. The notice issued by Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority ("HISA") against Paco Lopez on Sept. 22, 2025 for "immediate suspension for 6 months" is absolutely uncalled for and beyond ludicrous. This is just the latest in an extensive list of jockeys who have been assessed the outlandish fines and penalties for the use of the riding crop, the organization said in a...

Paco Lopez and his attorney Drew Mollica have been informed by the Horse Racing Safety and Integrity Authority that they will not grant Paco Lopez a stay of his six-month suspension for what HISA called a violation of the terms of his agreement stemming from a Dec. 4 incident involving the whip. "We are in the process of evaluating all legal remedies including but not limited to an emergency application to a court of competent jurisdiction to seek not only injunctive relief, but sanctions for this unilateral unprecedented decision to...

The Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) announced Tuesday that jockey Paco Lopez has been suspended for six months, effective September 23, 2025, according to a press release from HISA. The release says that, "The suspension stems from Mr. Lopez's violation of the terms of his conditional reinstatement, related to a December 4, 2024 incident involving Mr. Lopez's use of the riding crop on the Covered Horse, National Law." "HISA remains committed to upholding the highest standards of safety and integrity in horse racing. We take any behavior that undermines...

For a mere 50 cents if you had the gumption to exclude heavy favorite Barnes (Into Mischief) from your Trifecta tickets in the GII Gallant Bob Stakes at Park on Saturday and called cold longshots 23-1 Mad House (Vekoma), 83-1 Gateskeeper (Instagrand) and 56-1 Fire Pit (Cairo Prince), then your play would have netted $3,889.50. Kaboom! Mad House came into his first graded opportunity here after three straight visits to the winner's circle at Canterbury in Minnesota. The broke his maiden at fifth asking by an eye-catching 11 1/2 lengths...

Monmouth Park registered records for this season's NYRA Bets Haskell Stakes and Mother's Day card during the 49-day meet, the track's 80th season, which concluded on Sunday. The crowd of 41,876 for the $1-million, Grade 1 NYRA Bets Haskell on July 19 was the largest since 2015 and produced a record total handle for a non-Breeders' Cup event of $21,999,962. It marked the third straight year that a total handle record was set on Haskell Day. The May 11 crowd of 14,687 also set a record for Mother's Day. Those...

The hits just keep on coming for the infinitely likeable Book'em Danno (Bucchero), who stamped his authority on Saturday's GI Forego Stakes at Saratoga, where he has now won four times from five trips up the Thruway. His lone blemish came when a gallant third in the GI H. Allen Jerkens Stakes on this very program 12 months ago. One of the most popular horses in training, Book'em Danno has literally matured before the eyes of the horse racing public. Through a very successful sophomore season, which included a victory...

She's the queen of turf speed at Saratoga and it's her summer we get to witness. Future Is Now (Great Notion) has now claimed seven wins from her last nine starts with a sparkling defense of her title in the Listed Smart And Fancy Stakes Friday afternoon. Not off the board since mid-May of last year, the Great Notion mare has taken home the hardware in four graded races and hit the board in two others. Her last start July 19 at this venue was a half-length victory in the...

A debut winner for John Sadler out at Santa Anita in gate-to-wire fashion June 1, Hey Nay Nay shipped in from California to Monmouth Park and outclassed this field from the first jump to take the Tyro Stakes. A rocket from the gate, the 1-5 favorite was in charge of the tempo from the start and played catch me if you can with this field who was run off their feet. Sir Newtons Laws (Accelerate) stuck around early but quickly faded as Hey Nay Nay turned for home and began...

Atlantic Six Racing's Book'em Danno (Bucchero) has emerged from his career-best effort in a Grade I-quality renewal of the GII A. G. Vanderbilt Stakes on July 19 in good order, and connections are currently mulling over their options as they chart a course for the back end of the gelding's 4-year-old season. In posting a lofty 111 Beyer Speed Figure, the New Jersey-bred was taking his career record to 9-3-1 from 15 starts and his $220,000 paycheck over the weekend lifted his earnings to $1,580,425 "You always hope these horses...