Dick, believe me, I am not saying it’s right. But I do think that is where the mentality to let things slide comes from. I think racing commissions or horse racing boards are there to enforce the rules and yet are Switzerland when push comes to shove. Equine and human safety takes a back seat to almost anything else
The reason a jock would lose a lisence because of drug related offences, esp multiple repeated ones, is probably more about integrity of the betting marketplace and less about safety.
While everyone deserves a chance at redemption, it doesn’t look good when someone who has a track record with drug addiction like his, and thus susceptible to less that ethical influences, is allowed to be in a position where he can influence the outcome of a race.
[QUOTE=DickHertz;3523413]
What kind of message does it send when Horse Racing allows someone with Pat Valenzuela’s past to partipate arrest after arrest? The guy was given about a half dozen too many lifelines by California and now Louisiana just grants him a license?[/QUOTE]
Dick, the LRC is simply following the rules. He’s been licensed in La since last December. Some alert poster (me! :D) described what happened earlier in this thread.
Valenzuela is licensed in Louisiana and remains in good standing. He obtained a jockey’s license in December in order to ride on Delta Jackpot day Dec. 7 at Delta Downs. Because of reciprocity among racing states, a licensee who is ruled off the track for violating racing rules in one state will be ruled off in every state. According to the Louisiana State Racing Commission, reciprocity isn’t in effect in this matter because it doesn’t involve a violation of racing rules.
And, as another alert poster (Glimmerglass) pointed out:
“He was a licensee in good standing in Louisiana prior to the revocation of his conditional license in California, and in Louisiana there’s case precedent that a track cannot exclude a licensee in good standing,” said Charles Gardiner, executive director of the Louisiana Racing Commission.
Now, I have made a few bad jokes about La being willing to license anyone since they gave me a license (NO- I don’t have any reason for them not to, so it really is just a bad joke). But the reality is, the LRC is not just handing out licenses willy-nilly. And they’re not afraid to take action against a jockey for drug related issues. But, they have to follow the rules and not just shoot from the hip based on public perception.
Hope PVal has a safe trip and a good ride in the Super Derby.
[QUOTE=Drvmb1ggl3;3523862]
The reason a jock would lose a lisence because of drug related offences, esp multiple repeated ones, is probably more about integrity of the betting marketplace and less about safety.
While everyone deserves a chance at redemption, it doesn’t look good when someone who has a track record with drug addiction like his, and thus susceptible to less that ethical influences, is allowed to be in a position where he can influence the outcome of a race.[/QUOTE]
Like I said not making excuses for the guy. He cost me plenty once upon a time. Cost a horse too.
Maybe I feel bad for him. He’s got issues. But then again who doesn’t.
The integrity of the sport goes out the window for the betting public on a daily basis (just about). The juicers and the cheaters, the people who stiff a horse till the price is right. The hormones, lasix and the snake venom. The list seems almost endless. The bettors don’t matter any more than the integrity of the sport, which went out the window years ago.
Sadly.
[QUOTE=SleepyFox;3523886]
Dick, the LRC is simply following the rules. He’s been licensed in La since last December. Some alert poster (me! :D) described what happened earlier in this thread.
And, as another alert poster (Glimmerglass) pointed out:
Now, I have made a few bad jokes about La being willing to license anyone since they gave me a license (NO- I don’t have any reason for them not to, so it really is just a bad joke). But the reality is, the LRC is not just handing out licenses willy-nilly. And they’re not afraid to take action against a jockey for drug related issues. But, they have to follow the rules and not just shoot from the hip based on public perception.
Hope PVal has a safe trip and a good ride in the Super Derby.[/QUOTE]
I know he’s been riding for a while - the term “just” wasn’t used to mean “recently” it was more used for how they did it so “matter-of-factly”. I got a horse a few months back who was ridden by P-Val in it’s last race. I don’t care what their rules are - he shouldn’t be riding any horse anyhwere in the world.
The lineup for tomorrow’s race
$500,000 Super Derby (Grade 2, Race 11, 5:12 p.m.),
3-Year-Olds, 1 1/8 Miles
PP. Horse, Jockey, ML Odds
- Stungbythestorm (KY), Donnie J. Meche, 20/1
- My Pal Charlie (KY), Curt C. Bourque, 6/1
- Macho Again (FL), Kent J. Desormeaux, 5/2
4. Mambo Meister (KY), Patrick A. Valenzuela, 10/1 - King Darius (FL), John Jacinto, 30/1
- Numismatist (KY), M. Clifton Berry, 15/1
- Star Production (LA), Carlos Gonzalez, 9/2
- Real Appeal (KY), Gerard Melancon, 12/1
- Golden Yank (KY), Jamie Theriot, 8/1
- Forest Command (KY), Robby Albarado, 3/1
(the field is assigned 124 pounds each)
Mambo Meister most recently raced on August 30th at Calder. He had been sent off as the 8-5 favorite in the race despite facing older horses for the first time, but finished off the board after losing his best chance by breaking several lengths behind the field. I doubt PVal (riding him for the first time) will blow the break
ya, he sure can get one to run away from there with a whole lot of energy. He’s so good when they pop the latch
P Val’s California Ban Permanent
Amazing that California can ban P Val “forever” yet there are plenty of characters in racing who cannot be kept away from drugging horses in that State for more then 30-days.
In adopting a proposed decision from an administrative law judge who conducted a hearing July 15 on Valenzuela’s status, the California Horse Racing Board revoked the rider’s conditional license, which was suspended at the end of 2007, and made him permanently ineligible to reapply for or hold a license from the CHRB.
The CHRB announced the action Sept. 25, one week after an executive session of the board was held to review the proposed decision of Daniel Juarez, the administrative law judge who conducted the hearing.
Valenzuela, with 3,998 wins as of Sept. 25, was represented in the California hearing by attorney Neil Papiano, who did not respond to a message seeking comment on any further legal maneuvers.
The jockey has not ridden in California since Dec. 26 following his arrest for driving under the influence, which violated terms of his conditional license that stipulated he not consume or possess alcohol. He later pleaded guilty to the charge in San Bernardino County and was sentenced to a $1,595 fine and three years of probation.
He finally gets his milestone victory: career win 4,000 today (10-9-2008).
The 2nd race at a Louisiana Downs aboard Burst of Light the 7-2 favorite. A $30k claiming turf race for 3-yr olds and up. Interestingly the horse he was aboard was only making his 2nd race start for 2008 …
On again … off again …
DRF Mar 25, 2009: “Agent: Valenzuela suspended”
Jockey Patrick Valenzuela’s first season at the Fair Grounds appears to be done. Valenzuela took off his scheduled mounts last week, and his agent, Paul Pembo, said the stewards told him Valenzuela was suspended for the last three days of meet, which ends Sunday.
“I haven’t seen the official statement,” said Pembo. “But the stewards called me in and told me not to take any more mounts for him for the rest of the meet.”
Although the notice was not posted in the racing office, Pembo said he had been informed that the suspension was “for not fulfilling his riding engagements,” and that Valenzuela would be fined.
Valenzuela had had a solid season in a crowded jockeys’ colony, with 25 wins from 254 mounts, and just over $1 million in earnings. He is in 13th place entering the final weekend of racing at the Fair Grounds.
Valenzuela did not return phone calls on Wednesday.
At some point there will be a tragic ending to this story, hopefully, it will not involve more people than just himself. I really don’t understand why any NA racing jurisdiction gives this guy a license. He’s done nothing over the past 15 years to prove that he is a fully reformed person.
Never say never …
Daily Racing Form Oct 1, 2009 “Valenzuela seeking Calif. license”
… is seeking reinstatement in California, he said Wednesday.
Valenzuela, recovering from a shoulder injury suffered at Louisiana Downs last month, said he recently requested reinstatement from the California Horse Racing Board.
“I’ve written a letter to the board,” Valenzuela said. "I want to ride here and I want to be closer to my family.
“I’ll take it one day at a time. If it doesn’t happen, I’ll go back to New Orleans and ride at Fair Grounds.”
Valenzuela’s letter has been received by the racing board, according to chairman John Harris. In an e-mail, Harris said the racing board or the board of stewards in Southern California will be consider Valenzuela’s request. It is not known how long that will take.
Valenzuela attended opening day of the Oak Tree at Santa Anita meeting Wednesday. He said he has spent time in Southern California with family in the last month.
Commentary from Jay Hovdey’s blog DRF 10-2-09
No one has an inherent right to be a jockey, although the privilege is available to anyone who wants to play by the rules. If Valenzuela wants to gain access to that privilege in California once again, he has every right to try. It will cost him, obviously. The legal representation required won’t come cheap. Right now is not the time to recount the ways in which Valenzuela has dragged the sport through his personal torments, or to list–alphabetically or chronoligically–the many chances he has squandered in the past. Hopefully, he will be quietly discouraged to abandon this latest quest, and come to understand that he has worn the welcome mat to tatters. Sometimes, no just means no.
[QUOTE=Glimmerglass;4413738]
Never say never …
Daily Racing Form Oct 1, 2009 “Valenzuela seeking Calif. license”[/QUOTE]
Looks like PVal is putting on a clinic of how its done with natural riding talent now at DelMar since he was reinstated. I believe he’s 6th in the DelMar meet standings by wins and yet that is having 1/4th the starting mounts of the rider ahead of him and half the mounts of leader, Joel Rosario.
He’s riding long shots and smoking the younger colony. It remains to be seen if he’s cleared to ride outside of California and Louisiana but if he could ride in New York or Kentucky, he’d get mounts this fall and at the Breeders’ Cup.
Well I don’t remember if it was Friday - I think it was. At DelMar, he had ridden in the first race I think … and then he was removed from the card for the remainder of his races. I was watching this on TVG. They were going to find out why - but I had to go cook and never found out.
Anyone know why?
[QUOTE=onthehill;5035570]
Well I don’t remember if it was Friday - I think it was. At DelMar, he had ridden in the first race I think … and then he was removed from the card for the remainder of his races. I was watching this on TVG. They were going to find out why - but I had to go cook and never found out.
Anyone know why?[/QUOTE]
He strained his knee pulling up Big Wig in the 4th on Thursday. Took off mounts for the rest of the day back to riding the next day.
As of the start of Sunday he’s moved up and is now currently in 5th place. Joe Talamo holds 4th but only 1 victory ahead of PVal.
For comparison (as of the begining of 8-15)
PVal (5th) = 73 starts 11-10-8
3rd place held by Victor Espinoza and 119 starts 14-19-21
This say nothing of his woes, fully documented, that have plagued him off the track. It simply means that if you give him a live mount he’ll make the most of it - perhaps more than most of his peers.
Patrick will always be Patrick.
Welcome back, Glimmer 
And PVal seeks to expand his riding to Kentucky for Keeneland but I susect the real goal is getting a mount or two in the Breeders’ Cup. The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission’s License Review Committee will meet tomorrow (9-29) to vote on PVal’s request to ride in KY and (sadly) Biancone’s request to be a licensed trainer in KY again.
Valenzuela’s agent, Tom Knust, said the 47-year-old rider hopes to compete at Keeneland this fall.
“He’s flying in to appear before the committee and then he plans to fly back to California to ride at the opening night of the Oak Tree at Hollywood meeting,” Knust said. “He is making the trip to show the committee how serious he is about this.”
Valenzuela, who guided Sunday Silence to victory in the 1989 Kentucky Derby (G1), has not competed in the Bluegrass State since 2006.
PVal finished 3rd at the DelMar meet with 29 wins. While CA reinstated his license that wasn’t universal across all racing jurisdictions. Rather he already had Louisiana and added New Mexico. I don’t believe he is able to ride in New York, for example, without reapplying.
Kentucky license to ride: approved
The license review committee of Kentucky Horse Racing Commission Sept. 30 unanimously granted jockey Pat Valenzuela a license to ride in the state. The license is contingent upon Valenzuela’s compliance with certain conditions that will include daily testing for drugs and alcohol when he is racing in Kentucky.
Keeneland’s Fall Meet starts next Saturday October 8th.
