Overview

• Paco Lopez began serving a six-month suspension on September 23 after HISA cited repeated riding-crop violations anchored by the August 23 Forego Stakes at Saratoga.
• HISA says stewards found 10 violations since his January reinstatement, including eight instances of raising his wrist above his helmet, part of 22 total since July 2022.
• The Jockeys’ Guild posted videos from Churchill Downs and statements from John Velazquez and Mike Smith calling the penalty excessive and requesting talks with HISA.
• Repole Stable owner Mike Repole publicly backed Lopez and urged changes to HISA’s structure and the Jockey Club’s role.
• Trainer Derek Ryan withdrew Book’em Danno from the Breeders’ Cup without Lopez, while Lopez appealed the ban but was denied a stay of the suspension.