posted February 22, 2008 at 21:25 in Triple Crown Betting Trends

Forget about the book about the cat Garfield and his 9 lives, it looks like Pat Valenzuela will be soon be working on his 19 lives as he’s be okay to race in Louisiana.

P Val, as he is affectionately known about the horse racing bettors that love him, has had move comebacks that Ali and Steve Howe combined.

He’s a bit older now and the recent deal that got him tossed from California is a situation involving drinking and driving.

One thing P Val has not had a problem with over the decades is getting back in the saddle and winning right off the bat. And if you don’t believe me, horse bettors can check out a few posts from a popular racing site.

From a guy named like and author: “When he came to Chicago one summer, after a problem in California, I never witnessed anything like it! I will be watching FG for a while to see if the same thing happens, because he can move up horses bigggggggggggg time.”

Another entry says that astute horseplayers better not under estimate this legend.

From a speed component: “When he's focused, he could easily be the best jockey in racing, a horse whisperer...he could’ve made Forgo feel at home on the lead doing a 21 quarter...well maybe a :22...unfortunately he cant, or wont shake the demons… you may (I believe) still see moments of brilliance. I believe the change will do him well.”

Change in latitude, change in attitude can only do Valenzuela good. He is in tough these days in Southern California now if he had to bangs heads against Garrett Gomez, Rafael Bejarano and the Baze Boys so it is a step down in company to head to Louisiana.

Horse bettors have to get on board this guy simply because he puts horses in a spot to win. He doesn’t over read too much into form, he doesn’t over think, he just brings a positive flair to the paddock and it generally carries over to the horse.

Players may say how can one rider make a horse run faster? Well, it has to do with innate ability. Horses just run for some riders. Consider that in P Val’s first win in over a year, he got the horse to run a full second early, then that runner even did in his life.

A cardinal rule bettors should follow when P Val returns should be to make him the wild card when handicapping a race. If the horses are too tough to separate, go to Patrick.

Horse bettors will recognize a few of the top riders like Curlin’s pilot Robby Alvarado and transplanted New York Shaun Bridgomohan but you would have to figure that P Val’s ability, even at this point of his career, would stack up well with the leading Fair Grounds rider Jamie Theriot or Englishman James Graham.

If P Val does gain a strong hold on the Bayou circuit, expect him to do what he always has done and that’s put horses into the race from the get go.

Clever horse bettors will look at the mounts that he gets and be able to project probably on average a full second faster early speed and bettors have to evaluate the race from the standpoint right off the bat.

And if Valenzuela ever gets into barns commanded by guys like Cody Autrey, Tom Amoss or Albert Stall, or even becomes in favor with a small potent barn like trainer Greg Sacco, then there will be some shaking up down south.

Believe me, I won’t be the one to cast any stones, we all have our vices, but clever bettors that watch Valenzuela’s mounts from now on can get a feel for his passion in a quote from a from days past.

Patrick: “Every time something happened, I would pray to God, ‘please lord let my ability be there when I get back.”

Cagey players know, it’s still there.

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