Star-crossed Valenzuela may be finished

Americans have a fascination in witnessing celebrity "train wrecks," as with Michael Jackson or Michael Vick -- superstars who had it all and then did dumb things to derail their lives. Horse racing has its own version: jockey Patrick Valenzuela.

Last week, the 45-year-old Valenzuela had the California Horse Racing Board revoke his conditional license. The cause was his arrest by police in Upland, Calif., for driving under the influence of alcohol.

This might be the final blow to Valenzuela's star-crossed career. The CHRB has suspended him at least 10 times, which, combined with injury time, has sidelined him for more than seven calendar years.

Valenzuela has won more than 4,000 races, including a Kentucky Derby and seven Breeders' Cup stakes. Arguably, he could have been flirting with 6,000 career wins if he had avoided trouble.

Weight always has been a problem for Valenzuela, too. Jockeys must maintain a disciplined lifestyle to keep weight down and stay in top physical condition. No one has confused Valenzuela with Laffit Pincay Jr., who was the epitome of personal discipline.

This is sad to see. For as much as Valenzuela did, he could have done so much more. He had as much talent as any jockey I've seen. Here's hoping he can rebound personally and then find a way to contribute in a positive manner to horse racing.

• AQUEDUCT -- The oddest thing this week was seeing the Aqueduct races on HRTV and not on TVG. TVG has had exclusive network rights to show the New York Racing Association races for more than eight years.

John Hindman, vice president of communications for TVG, stated, "We are awaiting regulatory approval to accept wagers on Aqueduct races, and we are hopeful to have that soon. Until such wagering approval is granted, we have elected not to televise the Aqueduct races."

While HRTV has been showing the NYRA races, neither TVG nor HRTV has been approved to accept wagering on the NYRA races. That must come from the New York Racing and Wagering Board, which is dragging its feet. This is ridiculous and not the fault of TVG. Blame it on New York red tape, bad politics and a lack of common sense.

• SUNCOAST -- A Horseplayer World Series qualifier will be held at the Suncoast on Thursday. The top 10 finishers will get a free berth, worth $1,000, to the HWS at The Orleans from Jan. 24-26.

• RAIN -- A big test for the Santa Anita Cushion Track drainage system will come this weekend. Heavy rain could come today and continue through the weekend.

Santa Anita president Ron Charles has said the synthetic surface will be treated like a regular dirt track. That means heavy rollers tightly will seal the Cushion Track, which theoretically will prevent the rainfall from seeping into the ground.

Richard Eng's horse racing column is published Friday. He can be reached at rich_eng@hotmail.com.