Patrick valenzuela riding against the grain

P Val will take you through one of the best Juvenile runs ever. Listen to one of the greatest race riders ever and what it was like for him to ride for people like Charlie Whittingham and Bobby Frankel. Who did P Val not want to be head and head against in the stretch? P Val, but hear who besides himself.

Patrick valenzuela riding against the grain

Black legs pitted against chestnut ones. Valenzuela briefly used his whip left-handed before switching to his right-hand. Day was in a precarious spot. Pinned up against the rail with Sunday Silence inches to his outside, he had no choice but to use the whip left-handed on Easy Goer. Through the lane, both riders implored their mounts for every fiber of strength and fortitude, and despite the bumps exchanged between the two, neither gave an inch to the other.

As they drove to the wire, Sunday Silence and Easy Goer traded the lead. Strides from the wire, both jockeys put away their whips and began furiously hand riding their respective mounts, hoping to gain the upper hand to sway the outcome. Even the slightest one could prove triumphant at this late juncture, but Sunday Silence and Easy Goer were inseparable as they strode to the finish in unison.

Valenzuela celebrated by waving his whip. He was right. Sunday Silence had won…. Day lodged a claim with the racing stewards that Sunday Silence had interfered with Easy Goer during the stretch run but following a seven- minute review of the video, the objection was dismissed. Everybody saw the race they expected and wanted to see. Two talented colts slugging it out at the highest level.

By virtue of his Preakness win, Sunday Silence submitted evidence his Kentucky Derby win had not been a fluke. It demonstrated he could compete on the same level as Easy Goer. The stretch run of the Preakness Stakes was of the greatest degree, the highest efforts of the most excellent sort: surpassing all others. Receive Past the Wire directly in your inbox and stay up to date on Horse Racing, including the latest Thoroughbred Racing News and more.

Be With Us! Search for columns, events, and more Home Advertise With Us. Problems emerged again in January that resulted in suspension but he came back to win top jockey honors during the racing season at Santa Anita Park. Valenzuela's conditional California license, which stipulated many conditions including drug testing, was suspended once in and twice in for violations.

Stewards said then that he would not be able to reapply in the state of California. Louisiana still allowed Patrick to ride so he was able to use some time there and in Canada to get his career back on track. On July 22, , the CHRB Stewards granted Patrick Valenzuela another conditional thoroughbred license, whose conditions include thrice weekly AA meetings, submission to random and for cause drug tests and must completely abstain from the possession, injection or consumption of all mood-altering drugs, including alcohol.

He also won the G1 Shoemaker Mile with Courageous Cat and three more graded stakes from 10 stakes wins going into the Breeders' Cup. His agent could not get a hold of him all day long and stewards removed Valenzuela from his mounts. CA stewards have taken him off all mounts until, and only until, Valenzuela meets with the stewards, provides proof of his whereabouts and consents to a drug test.

The earliest he may begin riding is November 26 but may not be returning until early December. He was just a young horse who reacted to the large field, crowd, and noise. Patrick knew if he needed the stick his colt would be fine with it. Patrick remembered and spoke about the Preakness like it was yesterday. Two great horses, and two of the best riders ever in a real duel.

Pat Day was behind me and inside me and I liked that too. By the time we hit the backside I was in a beautiful spot. Then Pat and Easy Goer came up outside me and aggressively tried to just take over the race. He made an early move, but he also pushed me back inside to try and keep me trapped behind Houston. I checked a little and I lost my momentum for a second.

I was upset. Something like that in a race like that can cost you. If you watch the race, and think about what Patrick said, you can see it happening before your eyes. I was upset but knew I still had a lot of horse. He was a big beautiful colt. He was a fighter too. He was probably the best looking colt I ever saw. My horse was a fighter too though.