by Jeff Lowe

Jockey Patrick Valenzuela’s latest comeback came to an abrupt end on Friday when the California Horse Racing Board terminated his conditional license, which forbade him consuming or possessing alcohol.

The CHRB took action after learning from the Upland (California) Police Department that Valenzuela had been arrested for being under the influence of alcohol, said Ingrid Fermin, the board’s executive director.

A sergeant from the Upland Police Department was not available on Friday afternoon to elaborate on the arrest. Valenzuela was not immediately available for comment.

Valenzuela’s checkered career has been interrupted by numerous suspensions related to substance abuse. He returned on November 3 at Zia Park after being away from racing for nearly a year due to injuries.

Since receiving a conditional license to ride in California on November 14, Valenzuela had eight wins from 83 mounts at Hollywood Park and Santa Anita Park, including a victory on Curiously Sweet in the Cat’s Cradle Stakes on December 21.

Valenzuela, 45, was named for three mounts on Friday at Santa Anita and five mounts on Saturday.

Jeff Lowe is a Thoroughbred Times staff writer