Valenzuela in Hospital as Testing Is Sought

Jockey Patrick Valenzuela is hospitalized in Pasadena and will not be allowed to ride again until the California Horse Racing Board is satisfied that he is drug-free and has not violated the terms of his provisional license.

Long one of the nation’s leading riders, Valenzuela, 43, admitted himself on July 22 to Las Encinas Hospital, a facility that cares for those with mental health and substance abuse problems.

The racing board conducted two drug tests on Valenzuela at his home in Arcadia after he took himself off his mounts July 19, opening day of the Del Mar meeting. Neither of those urine tests were positive.

The organization wants to take a sample of Valenzuela’s hair for further, more extensive testing but has been rebuffed in that effort.

“We went to where he was and asked for a sample and we were not able to get one,” said Richard Shapiro, chairman of the racing board. “That actually is cause to terminate his license.”

Valenzuela, who has a history of substance abuse and served lengthy suspensions in 2000 and 2004, last rode July 16, closing day at Hollywood Park.

Ton Knust, Valenzuela’s agent, said he was not sure when his client would be ready to ride.

“I don’t know how long he’ll be in the hospital,” Knust said.

“He had back problems. He had a pinched nerve that had been causing him a lot of trouble at Santa Anita. The reason he missed opening day at Del Mar was because of his back.

“He was tested that day and was tested on the 21st. I know that he tested clean on both those days. I know that he admitted himself to the hospital on the 22nd.”

Initially, it was believed that Valenzuela might require surgery on his back, but Knust said that no longer is the case.

“What he’s been doing is physical therapy for his back, and that’s been working, so I think he’s going to be able to avoid the surgery,” Knust said.

Asked why Valenzuela had admitted himself to Las Encinas, Knust chose not to speculate.

“I can’t comment on it,” he said. “I just know that he’s in there. I know that’s he’s sober and he’s drug-free. I can say that. The reasons he’s in the hospital, I’m not at privilege to say.”

Neil Papiano, Valenzuela’s attorney, did not return calls seeking clarification.

“His mood is great,” Knust said of Valenzuela. “His mood’s really good. He’s really positive. He wants to get out. He wants to resume riding. He’s very positive.

“He had some problems and wanted to deal with them. What they were is between him and the doctor.”

Valenzuela is unlikely to ride in the Del Mar meeting, which ends Sept. 6, but if he resolves matters with the racing board he could be back for the Oak Tree meeting at Santa Anita.

“The thing I think people kind of miss is that he’s human too, and he’s got depressions and different things that he has to deal with

The racing board has adopted a wait-and-see attitude.

“He’s not riding right now,” said Ingrid Fermin, its executive director. “We’ll have to see what unfolds. Because he’s not riding, there’s not a huge rush....

“He certainly is entitled to come and tell us what’s been going on. We’re not committed to anything.”

Said Shapiro: “I’m a compassionate person and I feel sorry for him, but we have to look at what’s best for racing and perhaps what’s best for Pat.

“I think we certainly have been tolerant, and some people feel too tolerant.... At this point in time we still have not made any definitive decisions. We honestly don’t know what’s going on. We’re kind of in a holding pattern.”