Flores, Smith fire agent

Jockeys David Flores and Mike Smith, two of the leading riders in Southern California, fired their agent, Bob Meldahl, on Wednesday. Flores has hired Scott McClellan as his agent, and Smith hired Corey Black.

The switch leaves Meldahl without a rider and puts McClellan and Black back in steady business for the first time in weeks.

McClellan is the longtime agent for Alex Solis, who was injured July 23 at Del Mar and is not expected to return until after the Dec. 26 opening of the Santa Anita winter meet. Black's main rider was Pat Valenzuela, who is on suspension. Black also books mounts for Justin Kravets.

Flores was the fourth-leading rider at the Del Mar meet with 29 wins. Smith slumped during summer and won just 12 races.