Valenzuela Facing Vandalism Charges

Jockey Pat Valenzuela, who hasn’t ridden since Oct. 24, will be arraigned on two misdemeanor charges this morning at Santa Anita Municipal Court in Monrovia.

Valenzuela, 34, has been charged with vandalism and damages and for allegedly being under the influence of a controlled substance, according to Bill Walton, a court liaison officer with the Arcadia Police Department.

Walton said the vandalism was done to a vehicle and occurred late in the evening on Oct. 31. A little more than 12 hours later, Valenzuela was arrested again at his Arcadia home for allegedly being under the influence of what has been reported to be cocaine.

During his time away from the track, Valenzuela’s riding license expired and he would have to go to the California Horse Racing Board to apply for a new one. Given recent events, it would seem unlikely his license would be renewed.

“Pat Valenzuela’s license expired Oct. 31, so right now the California Horse Racing Board has no jurisdiction over him,” said Roy Wood Jr., the CHRB’s executive director.

There have been substance abuse problems in Valenzuela’s past. He was suspended for 60 days on Oct. 27, 1989, after testing positive for cocaine, then was suspended for six months on Dec. 22, 1990, for failing to honor the terms and conditions of probation of that 1989 suspension.

In both 1994 and 1995, he was suspended for failure to appear before the stewards and for failure “to follow established procedures for being excused from mounts.”