Valenzuela Suspended for 2004

Del Mar stewards Ingrid Fermin, George Slender and Tom Ward suspended jockey Patrick Valenzuela for the rest of 2004 on Friday and recommended that the California Horse Racing Board not consider Valenzuela, 41, for future licensing.

Valenzuela, who has a history of substance abuse during his career of more than 25 years, returned from a one-month suspension on July 1, rode two winners that day at Hollywood Park, then was suspended again on July 2 when he was unable to produce enough hair to be tested for possible drug use.

The stewards interviewed seven witnesses during a three-day hearing last week.

Neil Papiano, Valenzuela’s attorney, said he would appeal the ruling to the CHRB, adding that Valenzuela might seek court relief if the board upheld the stewards’ decision.

“We’ve asked for an expedited transcript,” Papiano said when reached late Friday afternoon. “They never told him about what length of hair was needed for testing.”

The earlier suspension, also for the rest of the year, was issued after Valenzuela failed to show for a drug test at Santa Anita in January.

That suspension later was reduced to a month after a hearing before the CHRB.

Valenzuela, who has been riding for the last few years under the terms of a conditional license, had that agreement amended in May by the CHRB to include additional terms, one of which was that he submit to hair follicle testing.

When asked to provide hair samples last month at Hollywood Park, Valenzuela was unable to do so because he had shaved his head and other parts of his body.

In their decision, Fermin, Ward and Slender wrote that “rather than make every effort to comply with the hair-follicle testing process, [Valenzuela] found another way to evade testing, and thereby violated [the license agreement].”

They added, “The issue of safety on the racetrack includes jockeys, exercise riders, pony riders, outriders, and, of course, the horses. These obligations cannot be compromised.

“[Valenzuela] has been a talented jockey for many years, but it is evident that he has failed to learn that he must be held accountable for the consequences of his behavior.”

The amendment to Valenzuela’s conditional license says he must submit immediately to hair-follicle testing upon the request of the CHRB, with or without probable cause, and that failure to do so will be deemed a positive test.

Valenzuela led all the major meets in Southern California last year.

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Unable to win in two previous trips outside California, Rock Hard Ten will try again Sunday against eight other 3-year-olds in the $1-million Haskell Invitational Handicap at Monmouth Park in Oceanport, N.J.

In a division weakened by the retirement of Kentucky Derby and Preakness hero Smarty Jones on Monday, the Haskell is one of two important races for 3-year-olds Sunday.

The other is the $500,000 Jim Dandy, a prep for the $1-million Travers on Aug. 28 at Saratoga.

Owned by Ernie Moody’s Mercedes Stable LLC and Madeleine Paulson, Rock Hard Ten won for the first time in four months, beating five overmatched rivals in the Swaps Breeders’ Cup Stakes last month at Hollywood Park.

Rock Hard Ten’s main rival in the Grade I Haskell at 1 1/8 miles is Lion Heart, the runner-up in the Kentucky Derby.

Lion Heart has the benefit of a race over the Monmouth Park surface, having won the Long Branch as the 3-10 favorite July 17 in his first race since he was fourth in the Preakness.

Completing the field are My Snookie’s Boy, Pies Prospect, Royal Assault, Wimplestiltskin, Tap Day, Pollard’s Vision and Swingforthefences, who is also entered in the Jim Dandy.

In the Jim Dandy, a Grade II at 1 1/8 miles, Medallist will try to stretch his speed around two turns and give trainer Allen Jerkens his first victory in the race. He drew the rail in the field of seven.

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Jerry Bailey became Saratoga’s winningest jockey when he rode Taittinger Rose to victory in Friday’s third race.

The win was the 641st for Bailey at the track in upstate New York, breaking the former record of 640 set by Angel Cordero Jr. Bailey had tied the mark when he won the first race with Seaside Salute, then added another victory later in the day with Aspen Gal in the seventh.

“I don’t know exactly what it means at this point,” he said. “I’m sure that two, three or four years from now, it will sink in more. I do know one thing, Angel was probably the best rider I rode with, day in and day out.”

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The main event at Saratoga today is the $750,000 Whitney Handicap, and trainer Bobby Frankel will send out Peace Rules as he tries to win the Grade I for the third time in four years.

Winless in three previous tries at Saratoga, Peace Rules is one of many speed horses in the 1 1/8 -mile race and could be compromised by an outside post -- eighth in a field of nine -- with a quick run into the first turn.

Perfect Drift, who hasn’t won since taking the Hawthorne Gold Cup last Sept. 28; Roses In May, Yessirgeneralsir, Bowman’s Band, Sarava, Gygistar, Seattle Fitz and Newfoundland are also scheduled to run.