The California Horse Racing Board has ruled that Patrick Valenzuela, the talented but troubled jockey whose riding career has been repeatedly interrupted by numerous suspensions due to substance abuse, is ineligible to obtain a riding license in California.

Adopting an order by administrative law judge Daniel Juarez, the CHRB ruled that Valenzuela is permanently ineligible to reapply for, or hold, a jockey license in the state.

The CHRB revoked Valenzuela’s conditional license, which was suspended in December 2007 after the veteran rider was arrested for allegedly being under the influence of alcohol. Terms of the conditional license prohibited the 45-year-old Valenzuela from consuming or possessing alcohol.

A career winner of 3,998 North American races through Thursday, Valenzuela is currently riding at Louisiana Downs. He resumed riding on November 3, 2007, at Zia Park in New Mexico after being away from racing for nearly a year because of injuries.

Valenzuela guided Sunday Silence to victory in the 1989 Kentucky Derby (G1) and Preakness Stakes (G1). He also is a career winner of seven Breeders’ Cup races.
(Source: Thoroughbred Times)