US-based jockey banned for starting 'physical confrontation' with another rider

Jockey Nik Juarez was issued with an eight-day suspension and a $500 (£422) fine for "initiating a physical confrontation with another jockey" after a race at Monmouth Park, where his mount suffered interference and clipped heels.

Paco Lopez, aboard Midnight Diva, was also given a five-day ban for careless riding in the 1m1f fillies' allowance race when his mount drifted on the bend and closed the gap on La Costa, under Juarez, who then clipped heels and stumbled.

Juarez managed to stay aboard his mount and pulled her up but in a heated moment following the race the jockey was deemed to initiate the incident with Lopez in the scales area.

The stewards report from the New Jersey Racing Commission read: "After reviewing all the evidence and speaking to witnesses, the board of stewards hereby suspend jockey Nick Juarez for eight days and fine the sum of $500 for initiating a physical confrontation with another jockey."

Lopez's mount Midnight Diva was disqualified from third and placed last. The incident comes a few months on from the rider being hit with a 14-day ban for careless riding in the Grade 2 Fountain of Youth Stakes, during which a manoeuvre on the final turn caused two horses to fall.

Lopez also received 30-day suspensions twice in the first half of 2019 from Gulfstream stewards for careless riding. At the time of his first 2019 suspension, Stephen DiMauro, associate steward at Gulfstream Park, noted Lopez's suspension was lengthened due to multiple occurrences "of being either reprimanded or fined or suspended."

Gulfstream stewards fined Irad Ortiz Jr $1,000 for punching a seated Lopez in March 2021 after a race at Gulfstream. The altercation was captured on track cameras.

In another high-profile incident, Hall of Fame jockeys Calvin Borel and Javier Castellano were fined $5,000 and $2,500 respectively for fighting in the winner's enclosure after the 2010 Breeders' Cup Marathon at Churchill Downs.

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