Valenzuela Hires Jim Pegram as Agent

Jockey Patrick Valenzuela has hired veteran California agent Jim Pegram to handle his riding engagements, replacing Tom Knust, who will continue to maintain the business for Corey Nakatani.

"Tom's a good friend of mine, and he's been nothing but a positive influence in my life," Valenzuela said. "I just feel that I needed to acquire somebody who's going to solely handle my business and that's the bottom line. Tom will do good with Corey, and I'll do good with Jim. I have no problem with it."

Knust handled Valenzuela's book for nearly a year, but took over business for Nakatani when Valenzuela got injured prior to the Del Mar meeting.

"Pat has always had agents who've represented just one jockey," Knust explained. "He gave me the choice. Since I took Corey's book when Patrick got hurt, and he told me it was my decision, I thought it was the right thing to do and be loyal to Corey."

Pegram, who previously represented Garrett Gomez and most recently Norberto Arroyo Jr., last handled business for Valenzuela in 1995.

Vince DeGregory, who has represented six Hall of Fame jockeys since he became an agent in 1959, has taken the book of the 29-year-old Puerto Rican native Arroyo.