Pat Valenzuela Denied Jockey’s License After Testing Positive for Cocaine
The New Mexico Racing Commission said Tuesday that Pat Valenzuela has been denied a jockey’s license because he tested positive for cocaine.
The ruling against Valenzuela is also expected to prevent him from riding in California, where he has enjoyed enormous success since making his debut in 1980.
Valenzuela has been on probation in California because of repeated absences from riding and for refusing to be tested by track stewards for drug use.
Valenzuela had planned on making his first riding appearance in more than a month at the Downs at Albuquerque, N.M., last Saturday. But a drug test that he had taken two days before came back positive.
An official for the New Mexico Commission said Tuesday that the state is expecting Valenzuela to appeal the decision.
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