Horse Racing at Santa Anita : Stewards Order Valenzuela to Appear

Jockey Pat Valenzuela has been formally ordered to appear before the board of stewards at Santa Anita because he didn’t show up for his mounts last Wednesday, then was absent again for a scheduled, voluntary appearance before the board on Friday.

The stewards’ order was issued Saturday, with Valenzuela told to appear Thursday. He was charged with failing to meet his riding commitments.

Valenzuela had phoned the stewards last Thursday, but offered no explanation for his absence the previous day.

It was the third time during the current Santa Anita meeting that Valenzuela has been absent for an extended period, but the first time he missed work without informing the stewards ahead of time.

If Valenzuela doesn’t appear before the stewards as scheduled, his jockey’s license could be suspended.

Davie’s Lamb, close to the pace all the way, moved out front early in the stretch drive and pulled away to a 1 3/4-length victory over Sly Charmer in Saturday’s $105,800 Buena Vista Handicap on the turf at Santa Anita.

It was the second consecutive stakes win for Davie’s Lamb. The 4-year-old filly bred in Florida had won the Twilight Tear Handicap at Turf Paradise in Arizona on Feb. 7.

Pen Bal Lady, the wagering favorite ridden by Eddie Delahoussaye, finished third in the Buena Vista, 1 lengths back of Sly Charmer.

Davie’s Lamb, ridden by Fernando Toro, was clocked in 1:39 over the one-mile distance of the Buena Vista.

The winner paid $16.40, $7.60 and $4.40.

Sly Charmer, ridden by Rafael Meza, paid $10.80 and $5.60. Pen Bal Lady, sent off at 5-2 odds by the Santa Anita crowd of 33,161, paid $3.20 to show.