Paco Lopez's Preakness-Winning Ride Reviewed With Whip Issue

Paco Lopez Preakness ride now under formal review
Official result fixes the scale of the 151st Preakness Stakes
Lopez’s recent disciplinary history sharpens the story

Paco Lopez’s winning ride aboard Napoleon Solo in the 151st Preakness Stakes is under review after Thoroughbred Daily News reported that HISA and Laurel stewards are examining fresh concerns over possible riding crop breaches.

Paco Lopez Preakness Stakes Ride Under Formal Review

On Monday May 18, the Thoroughbred Daily News reported that the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority is investigating concerns raised about Lopez’s ride on Napoleon Solo in the Preakness at Laurel Park.

According to the report, Laurel stewards will review race footage and the relevant facts to decide whether any action is warranted under HISA’s riding crop rules.

The concern centres on whether Lopez raised his whip hand above helmet level before striking Napoleon Solo during the Grade 1.

TDN said the review followed material supplied by PETA, which argued that still images from the head-on replay appeared to show that happening three times.

The same report also carried Lopez attorney Drew Mollica’s response, saying he had no knowledge of any inquiry or issues.

WATCH: Napoleon Solo Winning The 2026 Preakness Stakes

Official Result Fixes The Scale of the Race

The review matters because it concerns one of the season’s highest-profile dirt races.

Racing Post’s official result page shows Napoleon Solo won the 1 3/16-mile Preakness by a length and a quarter from Iron Honor, with Chip Honcho third in a 14-runner field at Laurel Park.

That means any regulatory follow-up lands on the winner of a Triple Crown race rather than on a lower-profile card.

At this stage there is no ruling against Lopez, only a live review process, and the available reporting does not suggest any action has yet been taken against the result.

“We had a perfect run. I was able to keep the horse in the right position and got away from the gate well, which helped,” said Lopez after the race

“Chad [Summers] had him ready. In the post parade, he started playing with the pony, so we broke away but came back and he was then very comfortable. He broke perfect and followed them around, there was a lot of speed in the race, and he was patient until it was time to move.”

“The distance and everything was right for my horse today. In the Wood, he was in the one hole and I rushed him a little bit and he was running off a layoff.”

Lopez’s Recent Disciplinary History Sharpens The Story

The latest concern also arrives against a documented recent disciplinary backdrop.

In September 2025, Thoroughbred Daily News reported that HISA suspended Lopez for six months after what it described as a violation of the terms of his conditional reinstatement related to a December 2024 crop incident.

That same TDN report said HISA had cited 10 riding crop violations after Lopez’s earlier return, including eight instances in which his wrist was raised above helmet height when using the crop.

That history does not determine the outcome of the current review, but it does explain why scrutiny of Saturday’s ride has quickly become a welfare and integrity story rather than a routine post-race complaint.