HOLLYWOOD PARK : Valenzuela on 6 Mounts in Return

For the first time since Nov. 2, Patrick Valenzuela will be at work Sunday.

His latest suspension--six months for violating terms of his probation by not submitting to a drug test--is over, and the 28-year-old jockey will ride six horses Sunday at Hollywood Park.

Clearly, the oft-troubled Valenzuela has been welcomed back by horsemen--agent Bob Meldahl says he could have had eight mounts Sunday--but the rider says he realizes he has run out of chances.

His troubles with drugs and alcohol have been well documented. He was set down for 60 days after testing positive for cocaine in the fall of 1989, and last summer, he failed to show at Pimlico for a stakes engagement with Sunny Blossom. In 1988, he was suspended after repeated absences at Santa Anita, and after riding in New Mexico, a positive cocaine test was thrown out on a technicality.

Now, after months of working horses and a strict drug-testing and rehabilitation program, which will continue, Valenzuela is ready to resume a career that has had plenty of highlights. The biggest was his victory aboard Sunday Silence in the 1989 Kentucky Derby, and before his problems last year, he was the leading rider at both Hollywood Park and Del Mar.

“I feel good and I feel very confident,” he said. “I want to pick up where I left off. I want to get right back in the groove. I’ve been going to (Alcoholics Anonymous) meetings five days a week and testing every other day.

“I know this is my last chance. That’s all there is to it. There will be no mistakes. I think horsemen have seen that I knew it was time to get it together and work. The main thing is not to let myself down and I won’t.”

Re-licensed by the California Horse Racing Board eight days ago, Valenzuela is required to be tested every other day, to participate in rehabilitation meetings five days a week and to meet with his sponsor, the Winners Foundation, twice a week. The foundation was created to help people around the track with drug or alcohol problems.

For appearances outside California, Valenzuela must give the CHRB five days’ notice and be tested every other day while he’s away.

Dennis Hutcheson, the CHRB’s executive secretary, said the testing program will be in effect until Dec. 31, 1992, and that Valenzuela has been extremely cooperative.

“I think he’s very sincere in his efforts to overcome his problems,” Hutcheson said. “He’s agreed to sit on a panel I’ve created, a human drug-testing program for California. We’re going to meet (Friday) to set up goals.”

Still, there have been previous assurances from Valenzuela that his troubles were behind him. Meldahl, his agent since late 1989, sees a difference this time around.

“He seems to be handling this situation much better than anytime in the past,” he said. “He’s much more mature. He seems to be taking things a lot better than he has before.”

Although being away from racing was painful, Valenzuela says there were some benefits during his enforced vacation.

“I’ve changed somewhat,” he said. “I spent a lot of time with my children (daughters Michelle, Kristine and Elizabeth), and it made me realize that life goes by too quick. I also thought a lot about my situation. I think it made me a stronger person.

“I didn’t realize, though, how much I missed racing and how much I love horses. It was painful to flip on the (race) replays. But, I knew one day, I’d be back.”

Island Shuffle, the beaten favorite in last month’s Providencia Stakes at Santa Anita, will try to make amends against six rivals in today’s $107,600 Senorita Breeders’ Cup Stakes at Hollywood Park.

With Rafael Meza injured, Chris McCarron has picked up the mount on Island Shuffle, a 3-year-old Ginistrelli filly who has two victories and two seconds in five races since her maiden victory for trainer Jason Mamakos.

Opposing her in the mile turf race are Fappies Cosy Miss, who has won two in a row for trainer Donn Luby; Fighting Melissa, who has a similar winning streak for Brian Mayberry; Common Threads; Paula Revere, who has a victory over the course; and Simple Surprise. Now Showing was scratched Friday afternoon.

Horse Racing Notes

Derek Oldham, who hadn’t won a race at Hollywood Park since Nov. 26, 1987, rode longshot Flame Crest to victory in Friday’s first race. Oldham, 37, was seriously injured in a training accident in Dec., 1987. He had three back operations and two on his right leg before returning. On Thursday, Francisco Mena, who hurt his back in a 1987 spill at Fairplex Park, had won with his second mount, Ice N’ Luck in the ninth race. . . . Hollywood Park will offer wagering on the $750,000 Pimlico Special between its second and third races today.