Pat Valenzuela Raring to Go

He's 53, hasn't ridden in 22 months and his career has been interrupted repeatedly by substance-abuse related suspensions, but Pat Valenzuela predicted he will be as good, if not better, than ever when he returns to riding this week in Louisiana.

Valenzuela, who has not ridden since January 2014, has been granted a jockey's license by the Louisiana Racing Commission. He is scheduled to ride two horses Thursday night at Delta Downs, but both are on the also-eligible list. If neither gets in, Valenzuela will make his comeback aboard Memories of Winter (Hard Spun) in Saturday's Grade III Delta Jackpot. The horse is a legitimate contender in the race, meaning Valenzuela's first ride back could lead to a trip to the winner's circle in a $1-million race. He does not have any mounts on Friday's card at Delta.

“I have been exercising horses since the summer and I feel really good and my weight is good,” Valenzuela said. “I feel mentally, physically and spiritually strong and I think I can ride as well, if not better, than I have in the past. People tell me I look better than I have in years. I'm going to do the best I can and do my best for the horsemen and betting public.”

Valenzuela's latest stint on the sidelines began in January, 2014 after he failed to appear to ride his scheduled mounts on consecutive days at Santa Anita. Two months later he was suspended by the Santa Anita stewards who recommended he never again be given a license of any kind. Valenzuela said at the time that would not ride again.

The California Horse Racing Board relented and granted Valenzuela an exercise rider's license in August and Valenzuela was told his situation would be reviewed Oct. 31. CHRB spokesman Mike Marten said that Valenzuela has not applied for a California jockey's license, but Valenzuela said he is under the impression California was not going to reinstate him.

Instead, he went to Louisiana and was granted a license. He will start off at Delta Downs, but plans to move to the Fair Grounds a few days after the Jackpot.

“It feels awesome to be back,” he said. “I am expecting to visit the winner's circle many times. That's the only thing I plan to do over the next few months and for the rest of my career. I am planning to go to Louisiana on Thursday and start riding for [trainer] Mr. Karl Broberg, who gave me a great opportunity to come back and ride some of his horses. Trainers Morris Nicks and Merrill Scherer and a whole family of trainers there have embraced me and pledged to support me. Fair Grounds will be my main base.”

He has not ruled out returning to California.

“I want to make the commitment to Louisiana racing and stay there as long as I can and I have to just stick with that right now,” Valenzuela said. “If the California Horse Racing Board decides to give me a license, I will let the Louisiana horsemen know in plenty of time if I make plans to return to California. My family is in California, my mother is there and the horsemen there have embraced me.

“I think I've done everything they've asked and deserve a California license, but that's up to the board. I have a Louisiana jockey's license and I will go there and try to win as many races as I can.”

Some may be skeptical that Valenzuela can stay out of trouble, but he said he has been sober for quite some time.

“My sobriety is great,” he said. “I feel awesome and feel like there's nothing I have to hide,” he said. “Everybody knows my past. The [latest] suspension was not related to sobriety, so I don't understand why [the CHRB] is denying me a license, but that's their decision. I am clean and sober. I feel great, I feel awesome. I am taking it one day at time and trying to do best I can on a daily basis.”