Laurel Park stewards review Paco Lopez's crop use in Preakness

Laurel Park stewards are reviewing jockey Paco Lopez's use of the crop in his win aboard Napoleon Solo in Saturday's Preakness Stakes.

The review comes after People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals issued a statement Monday that claimed Lopez violated Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority rules by raising the crop above his helmet three times before striking the colt.

"Just weeks after serving a six-month suspension for violating whip rules, Paco Lopez appears to have ridden to victory in Saturday’s Preakness Stakes while breaking the very same rule by yet again raising his whip hand above helmet level before striking Thoroughbred Napoleon Solo," PETA said in its statement.

HISA issue a statement in response, saying it "is aware of the concerns raised regarding Paco Lopez's ride in the referenced race at Laurel Park. In accordance with the standard regulatory process, the stewards at Laurel will review the race footage and all relevant facts to determine whether any action is warranted under HISA’s riding crop rules.

"We will defer to the Stewards’ independent review and adjudication process and will not comment further while that review is ongoing."