Shocking: Jockey Paco Lopez Brutally Hits Horse Across Neck at Parx Race Tuesday

Chelsea Hackbarth of the influential Paulick Report called out Paco Lopez, who was seen striking his mount in the upper neck after a race on Tuesday at Parx.

Hackbarth said Lopez deserves a "hefty punishment" for this action.

Hackbarth writes:

"Lopez has the colt nearly pulled up near an outrider, when the jockey takes his riding crop in his right hand and brutally hits the 2-year-old across the upper neck. 

You have to see this! #8 NATIONAL LAW (4.20) had a huge lead in the stretch before drifting all the way out to the outer rail, just holding on to win race 5 at Parx. The 2yo son of Constitution was ridden by Paco Lopez and is trained by Jorge Duarte, Jr. pic.twitter.com/MR6CSv8VtZ

— FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) December 3, 2024

After trainer Jorge Duarte, Jr came to Lopez's defense, Hackbarth expressed further outrage.

Duarte tweeted: "Jockeys are the toughest athletes. We have mental health involved already anyone who saw the whole stretch run would say Paco was outstanding keeping the horse safe. We need to focus on things that matter."

To which Hackbarth responded: "I'll never understand this mindset. There is no excuse for taking out your frustrations on an animal, period."

Those following the FanDuel Racing Twitter feed also appeared appalled by Lopez' behavior.

"The reaction of the jockey after the winning post was the most dramatic! Whipping the youngster around the head! If I was the owner he certainly wouldn’t be riding for me again!"

"And did you see the dumbass cheating paco smack the horse with the whip on his neck after the race? If I were the owner and trainer I’d fire his ass, a good jockey would know how to ride and rate his horse."

"Duarte is a good guy. Lots of decent trainers use Paco since he wins. But time to spin Lopez like a top and slap him in the head to boot. Owners need to tell trainers No Mas Paco."

Michael Dempsey of Iron Bets also could not believe what he was seeing.

The only thing dumber than hitting a horse needlessly like Paco did is to have Shoe and Duarte doing your crisis management. https://t.co/iLpkDK2PrC

— Michael Dempsey (@turfmichaeld) December 4, 2024

"The only thing dumber than hitting a horse needlessly like Paco did is to have Shoe and Duarte doing your crisis management."

Dempsey referred to the Duarte tweet presented above.

By  Nagesh Rath Born in Punjab, India, Nagesh has been writing for the Gambling911.com website since 2019.  He mostly covers the more controversial stories impacting the world of gambling, specializing in poker. Nagesh's favorite sport is cricket.  This beat reporter operates from our Miami Beach base where he resides with his wonderful wife Ravjeer and three daughters.