Valdez placed on probation after drug test

DEL MAR, Calif. – Jockey Felipe Valdez has been placed on probation for testing in excess of the permitted levels of three prescription medicines, according to a ruling issued by Del Mar stewards on Sunday.

In addition, Valdez was fined $500 for excessive use of the whip in a separate ruling issued Sunday.

Valdez, 37, has been ordered to submit to drug testing with California Horse Racing Board officials after he tested over the permitted level of the pain killers hydrocodone, oxymorphone, and oxycodone in a random drug test at Santa Anita on June 13.

Valdez also was cited for excessive use of the whip on his ride aboard the first-time starter Kelly With a Twist in the third race at Del Mar last Saturday. The racing board enacted tougher whip penalties July 1, stating that riders could use the whip only three times before pausing to allow a mount to respond.

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This was Valdez’s third infraction of the new rule this month. He was cited twice at Los Alamitos earlier in July and was fined $200 and $300 for those infractions.

Jockey Flavien Prat has been fined $300 for breaking the skin of his mount with a whip in the sixth race at Santa Anita on June 21. Prat was cited for his ride on Nicklaus Way, who finished third in a $10,000 claimer at 1 1/16 miles.