Report: Jockey Pat Valenzuela considers a comeback

Jockey Pat Valenzuela is considering a comeback seven years after he last rode in a race.

Thoroughbred Daily News reported that Valenzuela has been working horses at Del Mar and Santa Anita.

Valenzuela told TDN he never felt right after having surgery to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament and was unable to ride without pain. The in May, he had his knee replaced.

He was able to return as a hotwalker and then started galloping for trainers such as Antonio Saavedra, Peter Eurton and Peter Miller, according to the report.

"I can't believe how good it feels," Valenzuela told TDN. "There's no pain."

Valenzuela, who rode Sunday Silence to victories in the 1989 Kentucky Derby and Preakness, said one factor is his weight, which is at about 128 pounds. But he said he is "working hard" to get that number down.

He had problems with substance abuse in the past, and he acknowledged that might affect his ability to be re-licensed.

Valenzuela said he prefers to ride in California, but "I'll ride anywhere I can."