Lopez suspended 60 racing days by Gulfstream Park stewards

Jockey Paco Lopez, who won four straight races on Thursday’s card at Gulfstream Park, on the same day received a 60-day suspension -- racing days -- by stewards for his role riding It’smyluckycharm in Sunday’s 11th race.

Lopez, who was moving along the rail on the No. 5 horse, drove into the No. 6 horse, Let’s Go Baby’s lane, bumping him multiple times on the turn and creating a near disastrous result. The action forced fellow jockey Leonel Reyes to pull back in the starter optional claiming event.

TVG’s Scott Hazelton reported on Thursday, after speaking with trainer Dallas Stewart, that Lopez will as a result lose the Kentucky Oaks mount on Out For a Spin, who won the Ashland (G1) at Keeneland in a 52-1 upset. Irad Ortiz Jr. will now ride.

Lopez was also suspended for 30 days in February by Gulfstream Park for his role in a two-horse spill during a race on Jan. 31 at the Florida track that injured jockeys Romero Maragh and Carlos Montalvo. The suspension was lengthened due to multiple occurrences “of being reprimanded, fined or suspended.”

The veteran jockey has 53 wins on 297 starts in 2019, totaling nearly $2.2 million in earnings.