Stauffer steps away from role as agent for Tyler Baze

Jockey Tyler Baze and his agent, Vic Stauffer, have parted company, both said earlier this week.

Stauffer, 51, said on Wednesday that he will no longer work as an agent, and will focus on announcing at Hollywood Park and television work as a commentator on TVG.

“I’m going to take some time off,” he said. “I said to Tyler, if it wasn’t for him. I would have moved away earlier. He was everything I envisioned when I started this, with his incredible work ethic and upbeat attitude and all the talent.”

Baze, 28, has not ridden since late July after sustaining facial injuries in an incident before the start of a race at Del Mar. He said on Wednesday that he has been undergoing therapy for a comeback at the start of the Santa Anita winter-spring meeting on Dec. 26 and is hoping to receive doctor’s approval on Monday to resume exercising horses and riding races.

“I’m doing okay,” he said. “Monday is going to be the final say. I’d like to get on a couple of horses this week.”

Valdez out indefinitely

Jockey Felipe Valdez will be sidelined indefinitely after suffering two broken vertebrae in a spill last Friday.

The jockey does not currently have an agent, but his former agent, Alex Procel Crowley, was in contact with him over the weekend. Procel said Valdez’s injury will not require surgery.

Valdez, 32, was unseated from Score For Fun at the start of a maiden claimer for 2-year-olds in the second race last Friday.

Valdez has won 38 races this year, including the Palomares Stakes on Fashion Trend at Fairplex Park in September.

Apprentice gets three-day suspension

Apprentice jockey Nicole Shinton has been suspended three days for causing interference in the first race last Saturday. Shinton, 21, rode Warren’s Rough Luv, who drifted out through the stretch of a sprint for maiden claimers. Warren’s Rough Luv finished second, and the horse most affected was race winner Skimming Skipper who was forced wide.

Shinton’s suspension begins on Saturday and continues through Thursday. Shinton claims 10 pounds and is winless in 21 mounts, with four second-place finishes.