Pat Valenzuela May Ride--Ruling Is Overturned

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. —  The New Mexico Racing Commission Wednesday overturned a board of stewards’ ruling that denied Pat Valenzuela a license to ride in New Mexico because a urinalysis he took was positive for cocaine.

Harris Hartz, commission chairman, said Valenzuela should be granted a license as long as he submits to a urinalysis “any time at the discretion of stewards” when he has a ride.

“There were some legal questions about the validity of what happened,” Hartz said after the commission conducted a closed hearing on Valenzuela’s appeal.

Jack Cole, a commission member, said Valenzuela “was very lucky. It was a technicality.”

Michael Sanchez, an attorney who appeared with Valenzuela at the hearing, said his client would decline comment.

Valenzuela finished in the top 10 in the jockey standings at Santa Anita last season and has been one of the top riders at both Santa Anita and Hollywood Park in recent years.

Rio Pollo, an investigator with the commission, said Tuesday a urinalysis taken by Valenzuela last week tested positive for cocaine.

Jockeys seeking a license in New Mexico are required to take the drug test.

Valenzuela had been scheduled to ride last weekend at The Downs at Santa Fe meeting, but he was taken off all mounts once the test results were known.

Valenzuela failed to show up for his scheduled riding assignments March 11 and missed a scheduled appearance before the board of stewards at Santa Anita March 13.

He is currently on probation in California for repeated absences from riding and for refusing to be tested by stewards for drug use.