Valenzuela’s license revoked

Jockey Patrick Valenzuela had his conditional license revoked by the California Horse Racing Board on Friday after a recent arrest for driving under the influence of alcohol. The California Horse Racing Board issued a one-page statement on Friday, stating that Valenzuelas consumption of alcohol had violated the terms of his conditional license, which was scheduled to run through 2008.

Valenzuela, 45, was arrested on a charge of DUI in Upland, Calif, approximately 20 miles east of Santa Anita, on Dec. 20, according to Sgt. Greg Signorio of the Upland police department.

In a statement, racing board executive director Ingrid Fermin said: The board has received evidence provided by the Upland Police Department indicating Mr. Valenzuela has been arrested for being under the influence of alcohol. Consuming or being under the influence of alcohol is a violation of Mr. Valenzuelas conditional license.

Valenzuela was taken off his three mounts at Santa Anita on Friday shortly after the racing program began. He did not return a phone call seeking comment.

Valenzuela has ridden under a conditional license in the last few years, which required that he be subjected to random drug testing. The license was renewed in November after Valenzuela missed nearly a year because of knee and rib injuries.

On Nov. 3, Valenzuela resumed riding at Zia Park in Hobbs, N.M., while California officials finalized the terms of his conditional license. He began riding at Hollywood Park on Nov. 17. Valenzuela had won 12 races from 106 mounts since his return.

The DUI is the latest personal setback for Valenzuela, whose career has included such major accomplishments as winning the 1989 Kentucky Derby on Sunday Silence and seven wins in Breeders Cup races.

But since the 1980s, Valenzuelas career has been interrupted on several occasions because of substance abuse problems that have led to suspensions.