by Frank Angst

Less than two months after losing his conditional license to ride in California, troubled jockey Patrick Valenzuela plans to ride at Fair Grounds in New Orleans.

Valenzuela has been named on two mounts on Friday, February 8. The 45-year-old rider is scheduled to return to racing aboard Chief Mena in Friday’s sixth race, a maiden special weight turf race for three-year-old fillies. He is named on Classic R. J. in the seventh race.

The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports that Valenzuela is licensed in the state and the California revocation does not affect his standing. The story also says Danny Gargan will serve as his agent.

While Valenzuela is closing in on 4,000 wins, his career has been slowed by numerous suspensions for substance abuse. The California Horse Racing Board terminated his conditional license on December 28 after learning the rider had been arrested for being under the influence of alcohol.

Since November 1978, Valenzuela has missed 82 months of riding because of license suspensions or denials. He is not allowed to again apply for a license in California until December 31.

Frank Angst is a Thoroughbred Times senior writer