Paco Lopez

Since Bob Baffert made the shift from Quarter Horse racing to Thoroughbred racing in the early eighties, no one has been more loyal to Southern California racing. Especially when it came to stakes races, he filled the entry box like no other trainer. Consistency and quality were his trademarks. He has his critics and some have bristled at his dominance, but California racing has been lucky to have him. But with things being what they are in California, even Baffert had to make what must have been a tough decision...

Harper's Corner became the first winner for her freshman stallion (by Street Sense) with an eye-catching debut victory Friday afternoon at Laurel Park. Crunched into 17-5 from an 8-1 morning line off a sound-enough worktab at Fair Hill, the $30,000 Fasig-Tipton October yearling and $70,000 OBS April breezer dipped at the break, but quickly recovered and soon opened a few lengths on her rivals. With Paco Lopez back at the site of his recent victory aboard Napoleon Solo (Liam's Map) in the GI Preakness Stakes and looking for the competition...

This past season, Eclipse Award voters were forced to choose between the season-long body of work assembled by Atlantic Six Racing's Book'em Danno (g, 5, Bucchero--Adorabella, by Ghostzapper) and the brilliance shown in a pair of big-figure victories achieved by Bentornato (Valiant Minister), capped by success in the GI Breeders' Cup Sprint. That contest was purposely given a pass by the Book'em Danno team. Book'em Danno prevailed in one of the closest battles on Eclipse evening, and on Saturday afternoon at Saratoga, the argument was settled--belatedly--on the racetrack, as Book'em...

These are uncertain times for Monmouth Park. The foal crop is down, their horse population is way down, and they're having trouble filling fields. That's what happens when you are one of many players in an overloaded Mid-Atlantic region and you are the only track that does not get revenue from casinos. (Monmouth does get a $10 million subsidy from the state to prop up purses, but that could be reduced to $2.5 million in 2027). Yet, better news may be around the corner. Bills have been introduced to have...

John Heims joined this week's TDN Writers' Room to talk about the future of racing at Monmouth Park. The Writers' Room team also discussed highlights from Memorial Day weekend racing and looked ahead to Belmont Stakes weekend and what is likely to be a star-studded GI Stephen Foster.

Maryland State Steward Adam Campola said Saturday that the Laurel stewards took a close look at Paco Lopez's winning ride aboard Napoleon Solo (Liam's Map) in the GI Preakness Stakes, but decided not to take action because they did not believe that the jockey violated any of HISA's rules related to misuse of the whip. PETA called on Maryland officials to strip Lopez of his race winnings and suspend him. It contended that he violated HISA Rule 2280(c)(1), which reads, "A Jockey shall not: raise the crop with the Jockey's...

The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) has raised concerns about the winning Preakness ride by Paco Lopez on Napoleon Solo, suggesting that Lopez raised his whip above his helmet on three different occasions before striking his horse, in violation of HISA regulations. HISA announced Monday night that they were investigating the concerns. "The Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) is aware of the concerns raised regarding Paco Lopez's ride in the referenced race at Laurel Park," the organization wrote in an email. "In accordance with the standard...

Because he doesn't ride regularly in Kentucky, New York or California, Paco Lopez will never get the acclaim that flows so easily when it comes to the likes of the Ortiz brothers, John Velazquez, Flavien Prat. Nor does it help that he has made far too many headlines for the suspensions he has received because he has a problem with overuse of the whip. He can be his own worst enemy. That's why few would rate him a Top Five rider. That's too bad because he's, well, really good. That...

Bush Racing Stable's Point Dume (Into Mischief) fended off Champion Male Sprinter Book'em Danno (Bucchero) by a neck on the front end to capture Saturday's GII Carter at Aqueduct Racetrack. Earning a 101 Beyer Speed Figure, the bay will continue to run in high-level races, although trainer Tim Kreiser still needs to determine a next spot. "He looked really good this morning, walking around the barn like a soldier," Kreiser said. "He ran a really good race. They put heat on him early, turning for home, he dispatched that one...

The in-form Point Dume (Into Mischief) shipped in from his base at Penn National and lowered the colors of the returning Eclipse Award-winning sprinter Book'em Danno (Bucchero) in Saturday's GII Carter Stakes at Aqueduct. The 7-1 second-longest shot on the board was ridden along from the inside stall and made the running in advance of rank outsider Acoustic Ave (Maclean's Music) through a very steady opening quarter in :23.01 as Book'em Danno, the 4-5 chalk and wearing front wraps for the first time in his career, settled just in behind...

Injuries and a suspension levied by the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) have limited Paco Lopez's mounts over the last several months, but he is healthy again, has served his suspension and is ready to resume his career. Lopez will begin his comeback on Apr. 1 at Tampa Bay Downs, reports his agent, Jose Garcia. Lopez received a six-month suspension from HISA Sept. 23. In announcing the suspension, HISA issued a statement, which read: "The suspension stems from Mr. Lopez's violation of the terms of his conditional reinstatement, related...

Jockey Paco Lopez, who suffered a broken ankle in a spill at the Fair Grounds on Feb. 7, will miss the remainder of the Fair Grounds meet, according to agent Jose Gracia on Thursday. The incident occurred in the 8th race on the card when Lopez's mount, Betty's Dance (Brody's Cause), clipped heels and lost her rider. She was the 2-1 favorite in the 5 1/2 furlong turf test. No timetable has been set for his return, though Gracia said Lopez is recovering well and plans remain in place for...