I find the whole thing with PVal to be a direct violation of his constitutional rights. I know of no company or job where they come in to your home and test you whenever they feel like it. As far as him being in a mental health and rehab center, he obviously relapsed and put HIMSELF in the center knowing it would KO him probably for good. It was his choice, it wasn't forced. Means he knows hes sick and wanted to get better.
YOU can bet your ass if one of the guys or gals on that board did the same thing that it would be a "personal matter", as it should be between Dr. and patient. Robin WIlliams just checked into an alcohol and rehab center and I doubt that any studios will be not using him in movies when he gets out. Brett Favre was once addicted to painkillers and got help.
The added pressure of being under a microscope like that has definitely affected Pval. Like I said, show me a profession where they can come into your house and test you whenever they like. Its my feeling that what people do on their own time is their own business. If they show up for work sober and do their job, let the law enforcement officials handle any criminal acts or investigations.
The guy obviously needs help and ought to be commended for checking himself in to a clinic even though he knew it would knock him out for life. Know what could happen? I will tell you what could happen, he could get a gig with Coolmore or the Sheikh to ride in Europe or Dubai. They can't enforce US rulings there if they choose not to. I don't think anyone here has never screwed up and I bet we all are glad that noone comes to our houses to check out how we are living. This isn't the old communist Soviet Union here, this is the USA. Dr's and lawyers aren't even subjected to this type of scrutiny, but jockeys are? Does this not seem a little screwed up to anyone besides me? I don't know a single owner or trainer who knows this guy(I have never even met him) who has said a bad word about him. He apparently is enthusiastic with the owners and tries his ass off on every mount whether it be a claimer or a stakes horse. Its also always neat to watch him turn around his mount down the backside after a win, he pets the horse and slaps them on the neck all the way back to winners circle saying good job. I've never seen a single jockey do that other than Pval, not one. The guy obviously loves the animals he rides.
Its real sad, and the guy is the most tragic case of wasted talent I have ever seen. But hes got an addiction that I bet he wishes every morning that he didn't have. Hes never been accused of chicanery, and hes never hurt anyone but himself. Getting down on a guy whose just lost what he loves the most and his living is not for me. Wishing a guy like that ill will when hes already suffering is not what most people are all about, especially when the guy has never hurt anyone.