Jockey Patrick Valenzuela apparently is facing the possibility of being away from racing for an indefinite period because of continuing back pain, his agent Tom Knust said Thursday morning.Valenzuela, who was excused from riding Wednesday, was expected to see a doctor in Los Angeles today for a diagnosis of the problem that surfaced first during the Santa Anita meeting and cropped up again during the Hollywood Park season. Knust said depending on the diagnosis, either a term of rest for the back or surgery could be the next step.
In the wake of the medical event, Knust has taken the book of jockey Corey Nakatani, as of Wednesday. Knust said he approached Valenzuela about the matter and Valenzuela gave him the go-ahead. Knust said he expects to handle business for both riders on Valenzuela's return.