Suspended Valenzuela Arrested on Suspicion of Spousal Abuse

Jockey Pat Valenzuela, who had his license suspended by the Oak Tree stewards a few days ago for repeatedly failing to show up for work, was arrested Friday by Arcadia police on suspicion of spousal abuse.

Valenzuela, who turned 35 Friday, was being held on $50,000 bail and is scheduled for arraignment Monday.

Recently married for a third time, Valenzuela, who was arrested last Halloween for being under the influence of a controlled substance (cocaine) and vandalism, has a history of absenteeism and substance abuse.

Whether the alleged spousal abuse will be filed as a felony or a misdemeanor is up to the district attorney’s office.

A winner with three of 62 mounts this year, Valenzuela failed to show for his two scheduled mounts at Santa Anita six days ago and did not call the stewards to let them know why. He was then taken off his mounts later in the week.

When stewards Ingrid Fermin, Pete Pedersen and George Slender suspended his license, they recommended to the California Horse Racing Board that he not be considered for relicensing.