Valenzuela Back Working Horses in Morning

A day after the California Horse Racing Board cleared Patrick Valenzuela to exercise horses, the 52-year-old jockey was on the track the morning of Aug. 7 at Del Mar doing just that.

"It was great to work horses this morning and I'll be back tomorrow morning," said Valenzuela, who hasn't ridden since early 2014, when he failed to appear before stewards at Santa Anita Park for charges that he failed to fulfill riding agreements. "I'm just thankful to be back on horses."

Whether he'll be allowed to ride in races after his suspension is over Oct. 31, however, is still up in the air. On Friday, Valenzuela was under the impression he would be eligible to apply for his jockey's license on his birthday, Oct. 17, but CHRB spokesman Mike Marten confirmed the rider would not be able to apply until after Oct. 31.

That didn't stop Valenzuela from setting his expectations high, hoping to be could be back for the Breeders' Cup at Keeneland Oct. 30-31.

"All I can have are high expectations," Valenzuela said. "I've been very successful in my career and that's why I'm out here."

Valenzuela still took issue with the CHRB, however, over its handling of his case, when they initially went against the advice of hearing officer Daniel Schiffer, who recommended that the board should allow the jockey to ride in races. 

MITCHELL: CHRB Rejects Proposed Decision on Valenzuela

The CHRB later settled with Valenzuela, allowing him to work horses, but did not restore his jockey's license.

BALAN: CHRB Clears Valenzuela to Exercise Horses

"The ruling officer that the CHRB hired did a heck of a job on the ruling," Valenzuela said. "For the board not to adopt that—I can't understand it ... If they don't give me a jockey's license, something's wrong with them. Schiffer's ruling goes by the book, and goes by rules and regulations. They stepped out of bounds. I didn't appreciate it and don't appreciate it. I'm not going to pull any punches there."