Valenzuela Hearing Delayed Indefinitely

The formal hearing for suspended jockey Patrick Valenzuela, which was scheduled for this morning at Hollywood Park, has been continued to an unspecified date.

The only thing certain is that it won’t be held until Del Mar begins. The seaside track will kick off its 43-day meet on Wednesday.

James Ahern, a deputy attorney general for the state of California, said the California Horse Racing Board was going to have an expert in the subject of hair follicle testing at Valenzuela’s hearing, but scheduling problems prevented the expert from being present today.

One day after he returned from a one-month suspension, Valenzuela was suspended again on July 2 by Hollywood Park stewards Pete Pedersen, George Slender and Tom Ward after he reportedly was unable to provide a sufficient hair sample to be tested for drugs. Valenzuela was said to have shaved his head and other parts of his body.

Neil Papiano, Valenzuela’s attorney, said he could go to Los Angeles Superior Court in the next couple of days seeking a stay that would allow the jockey to ride until the formal hearing.

“They should let him ride until they figure out what the problem is,” said Papiano. “This is a puzzle wrapped in a riddle.”

-- Bob Mieszerski