HALLANDALE, Fla. – Belmont Park-based trainer Jimmy Picou, who brought grass star Val’s Prince back from a long layoff only to have him taken away in an ownership dispute, could get the 7-year-old gelding back in time to saddle him for tomorrow’s Breeders’ Cup Turf.

After 11 months off to recuperate from physical ailments, Val’s Prince returned to the races last July, running second in an allowance race and second in the Sword Dancer Handicap for Picou, who’s trained him since 1997.

But then one of Val’s Prince’s co-owners, Steve Weiner, took the horse from Picou in late summer and sent him to trainer Jim Bond, a move opposed by the other co-owner, Robin Martin. Since then Val’s Prince has won the Grade 1 Man o’ War and Turf Classic.

Recently, the original owner of Val’s Prince, Dale Smallwood, sued to have Val’s Prince returned to him. Late Thursday afternoon, Picou heard the judge had awarded him receivership of Val’s Prince.

“That’s what other people have told me,” Picou said last night from his Long Island home, “but I haven’t seen anything to back it up. I’ve been unsuccessful reaching the judge.

“If it is certain, I would come down [for the Breeders’ Cup]. It’s a nice thought right now, but I’ll just wait and see. The bags aren’t packed yet.”

Asked if he was bitter about losing Val’s Prince, Picou said, “No, things happen. I don’t feel good about it, naturally. I put a lot of time into him. He ran good both times [after his return], then boom, he’s gone. That’s life. But I’d just like to have some of the sweet things, too.”

Neither Bond nor Val’s Prince’s owners could be reached for comment.