Riders Paco Lopez and Nik Juarez were suspended by the stewards of the New Jersey Racing Commission following a July 1 race at Monmouth Park.
Lopez was given a five-day suspension to run July 29 through Aug. 1 and Aug. 5 for careless riding, while Juarez got an eight-day suspension and a $500 fine for “initiating a physical altercation with another jockey.”
Lopez was aboard Midnight Diva in the seventh race on July 1 when he came over on Juarez aboard La Costa. The two clipped heels and La Costa stumbled badly. Juarez pulled up La Costa safely. According to a report from The Blood-Horse's Byron King, Juarez confronted Lopez in the scales area after the race was over.
The five days for Lopez is not the first time he has been suspended for riding infractions that have put other riders in danger. He received 14 days earlier this year for an incident in the Grade 2 Fountain of Youth that caused two horses and their jockeys to fall.
Lopez is currently the leading rider at Monmouth.
A partial replay of the Monmouth feed that included a clip of the incident in question was published on Twitter:
Bobblehead Lopez, a danger to every other Jockey in his Race, once again with a careless and dangerous ride, and only the exceptional Horsemanship by @NikJuarez prevented him from going down! Long Suspension must be forthcoming? pic.twitter.com/IGZk07PPC8
— Horse Racing FanSite (@HorseRaceSite) July 1, 2022
Read more at The Blood-Horse
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