Horse Racing: Valenzuela permitted to resume racing with conditions
The California Horse Racing Board has granted rider Patrick Valenzuela a probationary license. Valenzuela has a history of alcohol and substance abuse and was barred from racetracks in 2008 following a ‘Driving Under the Influence’ arrest.
The move comes as bit of a surprise considering that the 2008 suspension was supposedly ‘permanent’. The Board convened at Del Mar to discuss Valenzuela’s request and following the closed session it was announced that the rider would be allowed back on the field under strict terms of an agreement by the California Horse Racing Board. According to the agreement Valenzuela would submit to regular hair follicle testing. The hair follicle test can detect substance abuse as many as 90 days after use and can detect most drugs.
The test would be performed before he is given a license to ride again by the CHRB. The agreement would hold for as long as Valenzuela holds a riding license in the state of California. Following the suspension of his license in two years ago, Valenzuela has been riding in other states including New Mexico and Louisiana. Throughout his career he has faced suspension and reinstatements and has a long history of substance abuse. Unless Valenzuela has been able to stay drug free for at least 3 months his bid to regain a riding license would fail again.
CHRB Chairman, Keith Brackpool, said that their decision didn’t come lightly. California had suspended his license on three previous occasions in 2006 and 2007. “We understand that Valenzuela has been given many chances here in California, and for that reason we have taken great care in reviewing this request for licensure,” he said adding that the board even contacted authorities in Louisiana in a bid to gather further information about his status there.
According to the Chairman of the board, former CHRB executive director, Ray Wood, had been contacted in regards to Valenzuela. Wood currently serves as the state steward in Louisiana. Wood reassured Californian authorities that since 2008, Valenzuela has passed all drug test performed in Louisiana. CHRB Chairman said that Wood had attested Valenzuela’s merits as a citizen. He was quoted as further saying that Valenzuela had ‘greatly matured’ over the past years.
Wood’s positive remarks about Valenzuela’s conduct of late were diligently considered by the horse racing board. “We believe the conditions of the stipulated agreement will insure the protection of the public, other jockeys, the horses, and Valenzuela himself,” Brackpool told the press.
That is if he can take himself off drugs. The drug problem for Valenzuela has been a constant companion and the terms of the agreement are particularly unforgiving. Valenzuela cannot posses, inject or consume any mood-altering substance including Alcohol. He would have to submit to random drug tests to screen for alcohol, cocaine, marijuana, opiates and PCP. He would also have to pay for those tests if the board decides as such.
Valenzuela must also seek the services of the Winners Foundation, which exists to assist those involved with horse racing and their families if any kind of substance abuse is adversely affecting their lives. To be eligible for a license, Valenzuela must follow the rules of the Winners Foundation to the letter. He must also attend at least 3 of their meetings every week until he completes the 12-step rehab program. Failing any of the Board’s stipulations, the board would be entitled to strip Valenzuela of his probationary license.
As troubled as it might be, Valenzuela has still had a stellar career. The 47 year old won his first race in 1978 and at the age of 17, Valenzuela was the youngest rider ever to win the Santa Anita Derby. He was deprived of a possible Triple Crown win in 1989 when he won the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes but was denied victory at Belmont. He won top Jockey Honours in Santa Anita for the year 2004-2005. In a career spanning over three decades, Valenzuela has won over 4,000 races.
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