Valenzuela's return delayed again

ARCADIA, Calif. - Jockey Patrick Valenzuela, who has not ridden since suffering a rib injury in a paddock accident on Nov. 26, will not return until February because of lingering problems from a knee operation conducted in December, according to his agent, Jim Pegram.

Pegram said doctors told the 44-year-old Valenzuela on Wednesday that he will need another month to recover from the knee surgery, which had not previously been disclosed.

"He had arthroscopic surgery on his knee and he's had some problems with that," Pegram said.

Doctor James Tibone performed the surgery.

"We thought he'd be ready by now," Pegram said. "The doctor said it would be four more weeks."

Pegram said in late December that Valenzuela had received doctor's clearance to return to riding. Earlier this week, Pegram said that Valenzuela was too sore to resume exercising horses.

This is the second time in the last year that Valenzuela has been off for an extended period of time. Last summer, he missed two months, including the Del Mar meeting, after being hospitalized for part of that time for undisclosed reasons. Valenzuela spent time in a Pasadena hospital that specializes in treatment for substance abuse and mental health problems.

Valenzuela, whose career has been plagued with substance abuse problems, was allowed to resume riding at the Oak Tree at Santa Anita meeting last fall after providing the California Horse Racing Board with information surrounding his hospitalization.

Kilroe Mile for Fast Parade?

Fast Parade will stretch out to a mile later this winter after winning the fifth stakes of his nine-race career in Wednesday's $77,500 Impressive Luck Handicap on the hillside turf course.

Trainer Peter Miller said Fast Parade will be considered for the $300,000 Frank Kilroe Mile on turf on March 3, a race that would be the 4-year-old's first start in a Grade 1.

Ridden by leading rider Garrett Gomez, Fast Parade ($2.80) won the Impressive Luck by two lengths over Cat and a Half, finishing about 6 1/2 furlongs in 1:13.13. Fast Parade stalked pacesetter Set Alight for a half-mile and took control when the field reached the main turf course.

The Impressive Luck was Fast Parade's first start since a win in the Grade 2 Nearctic Stakes at Woodbine in October.

He was sent to Hong Kong for the Hong Kong Sprint last month, but did not start

"He wasn't doing well," Miller said. "He wasn't eating. When he's quiet, something is wrong."

At the time, Fast Parade was reported to have an elevated white blood count.

Owned by Gary and Cecil Barber, Fast Parade has earned $475,113.

Carryover pick six pays $18,992

Wednesday's pick six paid $18,992 to 111 ticketholders after interest was spurred by a two-day carryover of more than $623,000.

Bettors added $2,705,016 to the pool on Wednesday. The longest shot in Wednesday's pick six races was fifth race winner Rival Islands ($31.60), the only horse to pay more than $8.20 in the sequence. Four of the six winners were favored.

Two notable absences in El Encino

Balance and Foxysox, two of the leading 3-year-old fillies in Southern California last year, will not start in Sunday's $150,000 El Encino Stakes, their respective trainers said.

Balance, a two-time Grade 1 winner who finished third in the Grade 1 La Brea Stakes on Dec. 30 in her first start in nearly eight months, will be pointed for the $200,000 La Canada Stakes on Feb. 11, trainer David Hofmans said.

Foxysox, a four-time stakes winner, is recovering from a foot abscess. She may start in the $250,000 Santa Maria Handicap on Feb. 10, trainer Carla Gaines said.

Owner's Stable head dies at 35

Thomas Thompson, the managing partner of Owner's Stable, died on Monday after an illness. He was 35.

Owner's Stable, which was formed in 2001, brought together large groups of racing fans that pooled investments to acquire horses. Owner's Stable has 10 horses in training in Southern California.

"He treated this like it was a family," partner Willie Hayatian said. "He was a true Thoroughbred fan."

Thompson had fought kidney problems through much of his adult life and underwent a kidney transplant a few years ago, his friends say.

"Tom brought many people into racing," said trainer Doug O'Neill. "He put these big groups together. He was as kind to the little investor as he was to the biggest."

A race was scheduled in Thompson's honor on Friday's program at Santa Anita.

Thompson is survived by his wife, Gina. A rosary will be held at our Our Lady of Guadalupe in Alhambra at 7:30 p.m. on Jan. 19. Funeral services will be held at Our Lady of Guadalupe at 11 a.m. on Jan. 20.