Miguel Mena has hit rock bottom

[Sonja]

(Considered a talented rider, the partyin' Peruvian has blown the chances afforded him and turned into a diminuative drunk.)

It was 13 months ago when a talented 3 yr. old owned by our syndicate was prepped and pointed to his first race ever down at Ellis Park. We had a few choices for the jockey mount, but our trainer was insistant that we go with Mena on board, even though he hadn't been working the horse.

Mena skillfully guided him from the middle of the pack to a promising lead and with a furlong to go, we enjoyed a length lead over the rest of the field. He got to the rail, where he loves to run and things were looking very good. Then, he appeared to just stop. Despite the instructions from our trainer in the paddock, Mena let the horse drift to the center of the track instead of using the right whip to stay on the rail. Ellis Park had been a extremely fast track that summer and the rail, or just off it, afforded the best trip for a speed burner like we had. Sure enough, we got caught a few yards from the finish and not one but two horses galloped up the rail spot past ours to knock us back to third.

Jeff was livid after the race. The casual, flippant explanation after the ride didn't cut it.

"He didn't wanna go there, boss. We'll get 'em next time." explanation was pure fantasy. The exercize rider , who had worked the horses 5 times at Churchill and Ellis always commented that the horse LOVED the rail and not much prodding was needed to keep him there. Mena didn't get the return ride...the horse won by 4 lengths next time out with a different jock, but got claimed away from us and is having a pretty good run of it down in Florida now for the new trainer and owners.

Was he drunk or hungover that afternoon? Hard to say, but given the recent transgressions of Miguel, you have to wonder. The story line on Mena is a sad one. Missing a chance to ride three winners at Mountaineer on West Virginia Derby day because he missed a flight due to oversleeping from excessive partying the night before at Saratoga. Getting pulled over Tuesday night in Louisville for driving while intoxicated. Biting the hand of several trainers who have sponsored him by attending AA meetings with him and keeping him on mounts during the supposed "rehabilitation". The story is sad.

It doesn't have to be. The legendary Pat Day admits to having a problem with the bottle early in his career. He straighted it out. You can, too....Miguel, but you have to want to. It isn't something you can just turn on or turn off.

Miguel Mena does have a gift. It's a shame he's let alcohol get in the way of it. No way I want a guy with a penchant for boozing on one of our valuable investments. It would be like filling Vic Anderson full of vodka and then giving him the ball against Pittsburgh. Samardo doing tequila shots before a UConn game. The responsibility is not only to yourself but to the fans also. Mena has failed to realize this and he is damaged goods until he can successfully show that he has his disease under control.

Get it together, Miguel. You have the talent and the rider sense. Don't let Anheuiser-Busch ruin a promising career.

[Kevin Bott]

Didn't they just do a write up on him in the courier where he talked about the mishap at Mountaineer and the fact that he took it seriously? Its a shame, there are a lot of people out there that wish they could have his talent.

[Sonja]

They did do that article, but it sounds like hollow words right now from him. He needs a few months away from the sport to make him miss it and strive to get right with the crutch. Released on bail yesterday, Mena goes to ride at Hoosier Park tonight.