PVal update.....

[my miss storm cat]

From DRF.....


Del Mar
Agent: P. Val still in hospital
By STEVE ANDERSEN

DEL MAR, Calif. - Jockey Patrick Valenzuela, who has not ridden since July 16, remains hospitalized in the Los Angeles area for undisclosed reasons, according to his agent, Tom Knust.
His prolonged absence has led California Horse Racing Board officials to seek opinions from the state attorney general's office as to whether Valenzuela has violated terms of his provisional jockey's license, according to CHRB executive director Ingrid Fermin.

"I asked for a review of the contract and I haven't gotten an opinion yet," Fermin said Thursday.

Part of the provisional agreement is that Valenzuela be available for drug testing. He has not been tested since he entered the hospital in late July. Valenzuela was tested at his home on July 19 and 20, and was admitted to the hospital on July 22, Knust said.

Valenzuela has ridden under a provisional license since the late 1990's.

Neil Papiano, Valenzuela's attorney, was not available for comment on Thursday.

Knust said it was unclear how long Valenzuela would remain hospitalized.

"I don't know, that's the question now," Knust said. "It will be until the doctor releases him. He's concentrating on what he needs to concentrate on."

He declined to elaborate on the reasons for Valenzuela's hospitalization. Asked if Valenzuela would ride this year, Knust said, "Hopefully, yes."

Valenzuela has not ridden since the final day of the Hollywood Park spring-summer meeting. When he failed to appear for the opening day of the Del Mar meeting on July 19, Knust said that Valenzuela was suffering from a back injury. At the time, he said Valenzuela would be out for six to eight weeks.

Valenzuela, 43, has a history of substance abuse problems. He missed the second half of 2004 because of a suspension related to an absence early that year. He returned to riding in early 2005.