Horse Racing: Patrick Valenzuela Makes First Appearance Since Ban
Californian horse racing fans were ecstatic on Wednesday when Patrick Valenzuela made his return to horse racing at Del Mar. A large crowd cheered Valenzuela as he came out of the Jockey’s room for the first time in over 2 years. The jockey was taken aback by the crowds chanting his name in unison. “It felt so good,” Valenzuela said.
The California Horse Racing Board slapped him with a permanent ban from riding in the state. Racing enthusiasts would be pleased that the ban turned out not to be permanent.
Valenzuela is hall of fame material and if it wasn’t for his personal life getting in the way of his riding career, he would have been odds-on for a place in the halls. His personal life and regular run-ins with the authorities aside, his riding career ranks him among the legends of the sport. The fans at least were unconcerned with all things that didn’t happen on the track. They wanted an exciting race and one of their favourite riders racing again in their state.
Valenzuela was quite jubilant himself, but perhaps the dominant emotion taking hold of him would be relief. “I didn’t want to end my career the way it ended last time,” he said. By last time he of course meant being disgraced out of California and banned. Not just once either. The California Horse Racing Board had suspended Valenzuela for substance abuse in 2006 and 2007 also. That makes his comeback so much more meaningful. The board was not simply going to turn around and give Valenzuela another chance. He had to earn it and the fact that the board considered him again and ruled that he deserved another chance is a good indication that the troubled Patrick we knew might have finally turned his life around.
The authorities in Louisiana certainly agreed and vouched for Patrick. The CHRB contacted the said authorities inquiring about Patrick before his reinstatement.
Valenzuela did his part. He stayed sober, worked hard and stayed out of trouble with the pronounced desire to make a return to California. “I always thought it would happen but I didn’t know when,” Patrick said. He added that he would never have stopped trying to get reinstated. He admitted that he could no longer deliver the kind of performances that earned him his 4144 thoroughbred wins to date but he would try to win as many races as he could.
Valenzuela has had great success at Del Mar. He has been the Champion five times and only 3 jockeys have ever won more races at Del Mar than Valenzuela. He followed up that success on Wednesday aboard 'Alaska Miss' when he finished second on the first race of the day. Valenzuela was not scheduled to be in that race. He was scheduled for just one race on Wednesday, the sixth of the day. Jockey Tyler Baze had to give up his races on Wednesday due to an unfortunate injury, opening up spots on the first and fifth races.
'Alaska Miss’ trainer, Peter Miller decided that if Tyler couldn’t ride the best choice for the filly would be Valenzuela. Peter would not at all be disappointed with the decision. He said that Patrick was a great speedy jockey and rode 'Alaska Miss' to perfection. Peter expressed his desire to have Patrick ride his horses again when and if Patrick would fit a horse. “I try to match the horse and rider,” Peter said.
Peter isn’t the only trainer vying to acquire Valenzuela’s services. The Jockey has already secured three races for Thursday and Friday in addition to a particularly busy Saturday when he would ride 7 of the 10 scheduled races.
Del Mar would be happy to have Valenzuela. Horse racing has been struggling to attract spectators and punters. Valenzuela’s celebrity presence would go a long way in attracting those crowds. Patrick though has more down to earth things on his mind. “My goal is to have fun, win lots of races and be clean and sober”
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