Patrick Valenzuela

Patrick Valenzuela will return to ride at Hollywood Park on November the 17th. Pat returned to riding at Zia Park where he had 3 wins from 20 starts. Not exactly what I would call stunning for a jockey of his caliber. I assume he got tired of riding cheap claimers really quick. When you ride in California you get spoiled at the major tracks by riding good horses. It's sorta like cars. In California even the 20,000 claimers are like driving a Mercedes and else where is like driving Toyota's. It's a whole different class. Pat is not about to drive a Toyota. When it comes to Pat I have mixed feelings. Here is a guy who in my opinion is the most naturally talented rider there has ever been. The fact that he wasted all that talent doing drugs and what not is sad. I don't think Pat will ever really change or learn any different since the racing industry always makes it easy for him to go straight to the top. There are so many riders who get up and work hard everyday that would love to ride the kind of horses he gets to ride. Lets face it, he has a great personality that owners love and when they have an opportunity to ride Patrick Valenzuela they can't resist. For pats sake I hope he stays clean and does well.