Another setback for Valenzuela in his bid to return

By: JEFF NAHILL - Staff Writer | Wednesday, August 11, 2004 10:02 PM PDT ∞

DEL MAR ---- Jockey Patrick Valenzuela's first attempt to return to riding following last week's decision by Del Mar stewards to make his suspension permanent has fallen upon deaf ears.

The California Horse Racing Board announced Wednesday that Valenzuela has been denied a stay of his suspension. A stay would have allowed Valenzuela to ride again while he goes through the appeal process.

"We're in procedural limbo right now," said Adam Burke, one of attorney Neil Papiano's associates on the case.

Next up will be an appeal to the seven-person board, which can either hold a full hearing itself; move the case on to an administrative law judge; or deny Valenzuela an appeal and accept the stewards' recommendations, which included never licensing the jockey again to ride in the state.

If the board accepts the ruling by the stewards, it is expected Valenzuela's representatives will go to court to seek a stay and a temporary restraining order that could allow Valenzuela to ride while the case is in the judicial system.

"We're just waiting to see what the CHRB does," said Burke. "We hope it is resolved in the next week or so."

The board has a meeting at Del Mar on Aug. 19, but it is highly unlikely the board would hear the Valenzuela case at that time.

Ruis granted stay

Unlike Valenzuela, apprentice jockey Mick Ruis, the former Poway High wrestler, had his stay granted by the CHRB.

Ruis was suspended on Monday by track stewards for his ride in Sunday's first race, in which Ruis' mount was disqualified from second to third place. Ruis received a three-day suspension, which was to begin Saturday, but the stay will allow Ruis to ride during the appeal process.

It's likely Ruis will drop his appeal after he loses his 5-pound weight allowance Aug. 29, or at the end of the Del Mar meet when Fairplex Park opens.

Hendricks benefit

A no-limit Texas hold 'em poker tournament will be held at 7 p.m. today at Ocean's Eleven Casino in Oceanside to benefit trainer Dan Hendricks, whose legs were paralyzed in a motocross accident last month in Riverside County.

There is a $100 buy-in to enter the tournament and a $50 one-time re-buy-in during play.

Half the proceeds will go Hendricks and his family. The benefit is being held in hopes of raising enough money to get the former Torrey Pines High student a state-of-the-art wheelchair that will allow him to return to training.

Rock Hard Ten sick

Trainer Jason Orman told Del Mar officials that Rock Hard Ten, owned by North County residents Ernie Moody and Madeleine Paulson, has a lung infection and will remain in New Jersey for the time being. Rock Hard Ten finished a badly beaten sixth as the favorite in Sunday's Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park in Oceanport, N.J.

Orman said the 3-year-old came out of the race with "a lot of mucous."

Upset city

While 3-5 favorite Etoile Montante had traffic trouble, Voz De Colegiala ($23.20) and jockey Tyler Baze took advantage to score a half-length victory over Makeup Artist in the $75,000-added Osunitas Handicap on Wednesday.

Etoile Montante finished a hard-luck fourth as four horses finished within a length of one another.

Voz De Colegiala covered 1 1/16 miles on the turf course in 1 minute, 41.15 seconds.

Contact staff writer Jeff Nahill at (760) 740-3550 or jnahill@nctimes.com.