by Jeff Apel and Tim Nichols
Jockey Patrick Valenzuela, a talented rider whose on-track accomplishments have been overshadowed by numerous suspensions resulting from substance abuse problems, earned his 4,000th North American victory on Thursday when Burst of Light posted a two-length win in the second race at Louisiana Downs.
“It’s a milestone in my career that is another goal I’ve accomplished,” the 45-year-old Valenzuela said. “I’ve got many more goals to fulfill.”
Burst of Light, a five-year-old Bertrando mare trained and co-owned by Gregg Pickerell, overtook two foes in the stretch and drew clear in the closing strides of the one-mile allowance/optional claiming race on turf rated as firm.
The win was also a milestone for Pickerell, as the trainer picked up his first career win.
Following the victory, fellow riders joined Valenzuela in the winner’s circle for a celebration that included the presentation of a cake.
“It’s been a whole week since I won a race,” Valenzuela said. “It was good to get the monkey off my back. It takes a little time sometimes.”
The victory provided Valenzuela with another memorable moment in a riding career that, since 1978, has included seven Breeders’ Cup victories and numerous incidents that led to suspensions or the denial of a riding license.
Valenzuela has been suspended or denied a riding license for a total of 82 months. Last month, the California Horse Racing Board ruled him permanently ineligible to ride in California.
The CHRB revoked Valenzuela’s conditional license, which was suspended in December 2007 after the veteran rider was arrested for allegedly being under the influence of alcohol. Terms of the conditional license prohibited Valenzuela from using or possessing alcohol.
Valenzuela’s license in Louisiana was in good standing prior to the revocation of his provisional license in California. He also plans to ride at Fair Grounds, which opens its winter meet on November 14.
“I’m very blessed to be here,” Valenzuela said. “There’s a great group of riders here. The whole racetrack has just treated me very kindly. I’m very blessed to be here and be a rider.”
Valenzuela has compiled purse earnings of $150,390,125 through Wednesday. His 25,895 mounts also have posted 3,951 runner-up and 3,339 third-place finishes.
Valenzuela has posted 202 of his wins in graded stakes races. In 1991, he became the first rider to win two Breeders’ Cup races on the same day when he guided Arazi to victory in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) and Opening Verse to a win in the Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1). He accomplished the feat again a year later when Eliza won the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) and Fraise captured the Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1).
He also won Breeders’ Cup races in 1986, ‘87 and 2003.
A Montrose, Colorado, native, Valenzuela became the youngest jockey to win the Santa Anita Derby (G1) in 1980, when he guided Codex to victory as a 17-year-old. Valenzuela earned the win one week after becoming a journeyman rider.
Valenzuela also rode Sunday Silence to victories in the ’89 Kentucky Derby (G1) and Preakness Stakes (G1). In ‘03, he swept all five riding titles at three Southern California tracks and captured his 15th major riding title in the region in ‘05.
Jeff Apel and Tim Nichols are Thoroughbred Times assistant daily news editors