Jockey Paco Lopez, suspended for six months by the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) due to multiple riding violations, including improper use of his riding crop, is set to ride in six races at Louisiana’s Fair Grounds Race Course on November 20. While HISA’s suspension restricts Lopez from riding at most U.S. tracks, Louisiana and a few other states are not under HISA jurisdiction due to ongoing legal challenges, allowing Lopez to continue competing there. Since late October, he has been riding successfully at Delta Downs in Louisiana and plans to ride at both Delta Downs and Fair Grounds this winter.

Lopez’s suspension stems from repeated infractions, including striking a horse’s head/neck with his crop and raising the crop above his helmet, violations that led to a reduction of an initial two-year ban to 45 days, followed by a new six-month suspension this summer. Despite the penalties, Lopez remains the country’s winningest jockey this year with 304 wins from 1,205 mounts. His suspension has sparked debate within the jockey community, with some, including Hall of Famer John Velazquez, criticizing the length of the ban as excessive. HISA’s board unanimously upheld the suspension, citing Lopez’s eight violations of the crop rule this year and efforts by HISA leadership to encourage compliance before imposing penalties.