P Val hospitalized
 

From DRF.....

Valenzuela hospitalized, agent says
By STEVE ANDERSEN

Jockey Patrick Valenzuela, who has not ridden since the final day of the Hollywood Park spring-summer meeting on July 16, has been hospitalized since late July, according to his agent, Tom Knust. Knust would not disclose the reason for the hospitalization.
Valenzuela has been in a Los Angeles-area hospital since approximately July 21, two days after the start of the Del Mar meeting, Knust said.

"He's sober and drug free," Knust said.

Valenzuela was scheduled to appear before the stewards at Del Mar on Monday to discuss his recent absence, but did not appear.

Valenzuela stopped riding after the Hollywood meet because of back problems, Knust said, adding that Valenzuela was contemplating surgery. At the time, Knust said that Valenzuela would be out for six to eight weeks if he had the back surgery.

In late July, Valenzuela passed drug tests administered by California Horse Racing Board investigators. Knust said that Valenzuela was hospitalized after he was given "a second or third" drug test by CHRB staff.

As part of his conditional license agreement, Valenzuela can be tested for drugs by the CHRB at any time, even if he is at home and is not riding.

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

If it was a physical problem, why so hush hush?

Has to be mental or substance abuse, at least you would think.

Get well Pat, the sport needs a guy like you.

Feel better, Patrick. :)

He probably took out a few loans with Cash Call and couldn't pay them back. I wouldn't want to mess with those guys.

He probably took out a few loans with Cash Call and couldn't pay them back.

I'm in touch with that emotion.

Those Cash Call interest rates are unreal. I am surprised some states let them do business.

$18.99 flat fee for taking $300. That doesnt include finance charges per day by your credit card company. How fitting that they are at racetracks, eh?

No kidding. I think Cash Call is only licensed in 2 states-Cali and Idaho of all places. Credit Cards are a joke in my opinion. I was waste high in debt and I kep paying and paying higher payments to get them down. Finanlly I said screw this. I paid the minimum payment for a year--Then saved what I was paying extra--It was $300 a month--for 1 year and then made one lump sum payment. I was like OH YEAH I am free free I tell ya. Now I only use one card and the balance is paid in full everyone month with no interest.

If you were waist high, then I am chest high :eek:

That is funny. When I took my job with BF Goodrich, I was on straight commission. I paid everything with my credit card. New suits, gas, lunches, dinners, etc etc. I went 3 months without earning a dime--man that sucked. I lived on sugar bread and water--lol. I would buy white bread and put sugar on it and eat is like a sandwich. Man, that was some gross crap.