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Paco Lopez returns to Saratoga after suspension reduced to 20 days

Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Aug 28, 2026, 3:00 PM

Last updated Aug 28, 2026

Paco Lopez returns to Saratoga after suspension reduced to 20 days

Summary

Jockey Paco Lopez is set to return to Saratoga Race Course on Travers Day, August 28, 2026, after his 30-day suspension was reduced to 20 days and deferred to 2027. The suspension was linked to a serious incident during the opening day of the summer meet, which resulted in a four-horse fall and injuries to Hall of Fame jockey Javier Castellano. Following an appeal, Lopez settled with the state Gaming Commission to push the enforcement of his suspension until next year's meet. He will have notable mounts including Baby Vino in the Travers and Book'em Danno in the Forego on Saturday, September 2, and has continued to race at other tracks during his ban at Saratoga this summer.

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Status Watch

•Paco Lopez returns to ride at Saratoga after a settlement with the Gaming Commission.
•His suspension was originally set for 30 days due to a July 3 incident.
•Lopez has six mounts on Travers Day, including Baby Vino and Book'em Danno.
•He leads North American jockeys with 235 wins this year according to Equibase.
•Lopez's 20-day suspension will commence during the 2027 Saratoga meet.

Latest Updates

3:00 PMYahoo Sports — Lengthy suspension pushed to 2027, Paco Lopez returns to Saratoga on Travers Day to ride Baby Vino, Book'em Danno

What they're saying

"
Jockey Paco Lopez, who was suspended 30 days for his role in an opening day four-horse fall at Saratoga, will be back on Travers Day after the ban was reduced to 20 days and pushed to next year.
— Yahoo Sports

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