 Pat Valenzuela on Sunday Silence in better days |
Pat Valenzuela
the sad story of a wasted life
Dateline: 02/05/2000
It is always sad to see someone with great ability fail to live up to his or her potential. That is the case with Pat Valenzuela who had the talent to be a great jockey but also a weakness of mind and will where it comes to drugs that has ruined a promising career.
Because of his great potential, he has been given far more chances to try and overcome his addictive tendancies than most. Over the past 10 years he has been suspended for drug related problems 8 times. After his last suspension, he really fell on the skids and wound up in jail for 30 days charged with armed robbery of a taxi driver (he was subsequently cleared of the charges). He claimed during his incarceration he found religion and was a changed person. He presented such a good case that he was given one last chance five months ago in late 1999 when he was issued a temporary license to ride again. Very strict conditions were attached this time. He was required to attend two counselling sessions weekly, submit to random drug tests, and would be allowed no unexcused absenses.
Most people were skeptical when he returned to riding in September, but he seemed to have his life in order finally and invited the scrutiny of trainers who were leery of trusting him again. He began to get better horses and win more races, finishing second in the jockey standings at Hollywood Park behind Laffit Pincay.
Unfortunately, everything seems to be falling apart again. He took off all his mounts on Friday claiming a sore neck from an incident last Sunday, although he had ridden since then. His agent then called the stewards to report he was having personal problems. They ordered him tested and he came up positive for amphetamines (rumour has it the substance was crank). There will be a hearing on Wednesday to determine his fate which could result in his being suspended for life. If that happens, he will never be able to work in any capacity that requires licensing at a track again.
Although it is sad to see someone waste their life this way, we also really need to wonder if this is the type of person we want the general public to associate with horse racing. We have a bad enough image problem without adding incidents like this for the anti-racing factions to use as ammunition against us.
UPDATE: In the Daily Racing Form, Valenzuela's lawyer admits that Pat relapsed and will not contest anything at the hearing Wednesday. He was quoted in the DRF as saying: "We're not contesting it. He's had a relapse. He spent a full year doing everything right and last Thursday he had a relapse. It's depressing to us all but he'll keep fighting his disease. We'll try to pick up the pieces." His agent also resigned over the weekend.
UPDATE: Valenzuela asked for leniency from the stewards in their decision. Bob Baffert spoke up for him: "I hope you give him one more chance. I think he's been doing great and working hard. He's so talented. It's a shame he's been going through all this. A suspension would be a shame." His lawyer pleaded for compassion for someone who doesn't know any other life but racing and to not hold one night against him when he has behaved for a year now. Valenzuela had this to say: "I told them I was dirty, but they asked me to test anyway," Valenzuela said. "I want to let everyone know that no one feels worse about this than me. I know this has been a stumbling block. I think I let everyone else down more than anything." The stewards decision is expected Thursday or Friday.
UPDATE: The stewards ruled on Friday that he would be suspended through September and recommended that he not be eligible for re-licensing until February 2001. They want him to document to the CHRB that he has "experienced one year of uninterrupted sobriety." Valenzuela's lawyer thought the punishment was too severe but most people consider it a mere slap on the wrist for such a habitual offender.
Here are some links to info and pictures from PVal's career:
- Biography from the 1997 Breeders' Cup
- Nando Net Article about his suspension
- DRF Article about the hearing
- News story from Fox Sports about this latest incident
- Standing Pat - an article from the Oct. 1999 Blood Horse detailing his life with lots of quotes. Read this one definitely!
- News item from May 1999 from SportsLine, go to the bottom for the part about Pat, says he was working for a landscaping service then
- News story from Oct. 1997 from Las Vegas Review detailing his problems with the law and drugs when he got suspended before this recent comeback. Read this one definitely!
- Forum - a thread on my forum about Pat and how he blew it again
- Chart with photo from his Derby win on Sunday Silence click Pat's name on it to see all his Derby mounts
- His Breeders' Cup wins - scroll down to his name on the list to see his 6 winners
- Photo with his Derby trophy wire service photo for sale from Back Door Antiques
- Photo on Arazi winning the Breeders' Cup Juvenile
Photo by Maui Boy
