Can we cut P. Val a little slack?

[MO]

I have been watching the developments in the Pat Valenzuela case closely, and I wonder if there isn\'t a case to cut Pat some slack on his recent suspension.

Try looking at it this way:

You are married and the marraige is going down the tubes. Are you a happy camper? Are you not subject to depression, so bad that one morning you just can\'t get out of bed and go to work?

How many of us have been in that situation?
How many of us with union benefits which include paid sick days take advantage of those sick days by calling in sick, when we really just don\'t feel like going to work?

When I look at the overall picture, I see 3 things:

1.A very cocky and egotistical rider of hispanic decent who happens to be the best gate rider in history, bar none.
2.A human being with faults just like the rest of us, no matter how he chooses to deal with those faults.
3.A predominantly white \"judge and jury\" who are allowed to go home and have drink if THEY have a bad day, or maybe even a good day.

I have never seen or heard of an instance where Pat has shown up to the track stoned or drunk and, other than rough, competitive  riding, has not caused injury to his fellow riders.

The man pulled off an incredible feat winning all those titles last year. Think he was stoned or drunk? I seriously doubt it.

And so one day he goes home to his nagging wife and she drives him to drink - one night.
He knows he has to get up at 4AM and pass a piss test and he knows he will fail. So he calls in sick like all the union guys do.

Seems to me he did the right thing by calling in sick.

Can\'t we cut him some slack?
I would.

[Chuckles_the_Clown2]

If it was up to me I\'d cut him some slack. The factors you mention kinda cinch it. Is he stoned at the track? Is he careless there?  Its not right for him to not be able to work but for all of Frankel\'s horses to be able to.

I like P.Val, I think giving him big time like this may be what ruins him. Personally, I\'d fine him. Hit him with some good fines. They don\'t have a positive on him.

[phil45]

your humanity does you both credit.

Well said gentlemen.

[artvandalay]

  My concern lies with PVal who should NEVER be using drugs or alcohol. Like most of us who share this problem his life goes to hell when he uses . If the stewards want to drink themselves silly that has nothing to do with PVal.What made him sick will not make him better.I believe that PVal has a contract with something bigger than the stewards and as long as he uses drugs or alcohol he will not have much of a life if he has one at all.I hope that he is able to remain sober now and start a lifestyle conducive to his longterm survival.Someday he will leave riding and some people will no longer have a great interest in his life.There will not be tests and lawyers and stewards just him and what he likes most in life . I think that being a user has more to do with how he is treated than his color.  But for the grace of god go I.

[MO]

http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com/todaysnews/newsview.asp?recno=44101&subsec=1

Pat Valenzuela back in the saddle on April 25.

Bravo!

[MO]

Boy this is getting ugly.

http://www.drf.com/news/article/54974.html

[dcbred]

I see a Derby stretch run with PVal and one of the SoCal20 head and head.  Creative use of the whips?