Hollendorfer: ‘I didn’t break any rules’ at Santa Anita Park
In an interview with the San Diego-based Track Talk radio show, trainer Jerry Hollendorfer said Sunday he’s “making arrangements” to relocate his 100 or so horses stabled at Santa Anita Park and Golden Gate Fields.
Hollendorfer was told Saturday morning he had 72 hours to vacate California’s racetracks owned by The Stronach Group.
“Mr. (Tim) Ritvo told me yesterday that Belinda Stronach did not want me on the grounds anymore,” Hollendorfer said on Track Talk.
The order arrived after Hollendorfer had a fourth Santa Anita-based horse since Dec. 26 euthanized as a result of injuries suffered in racing or training at Santa Anita. Overall, 30 horses have perished this season at the Arcadia, Calif., track, casting a dark cloud over racing’s future in the region.
Hollendorfer’s latest fatality, American Currency, was pulled up at the beginning of a breeze over the inner, synthetic training track. To work a horse now at Santa Anita, trainer must now apply for permission in advance to allow time for a track veterinarian’s physical inspection.
“Whatever reforms were put out there, they were followed closely,” the Hall of Fame conditioner told host Felix Taverna. “In our barn, I didn’t break any rules or anything like that…We were totally cooperative with the vets and the people coming around to look at the horses in every single situation.”
As for what’s next, Hollendorfer was short on specifics this early in the process, saying “the logistics of it are a little bit difficult.” He has not considered legal recourse to combat the racetrack ban.
“We’re just concentrating right now on getting our horses moved and trying to get our people settled and get them comfortable in their workplace,” he added. “…I’m worried mostly about the folks that are working here and have to go to another location. Fortunately, our folks want to go with us. But you know, these people depend on me for their livelihoods.
“That’s the hardest part of it. The facts are the facts. They don’t want me here, so I have to go somewhere else.”
Los Alamitos’ 10-day meet begins next weekend, and the track already issued a statement saying Hollendorfer is welcome to stable and run there. Del Mar, with a summer meeting starting June 17, has yet to announce its decision.
“We’re hoping to be able to run some horses at Del Mar, and if I have to step away for a while, I’m certainly willing to do that,” Hollendorfer said on Track Talk.
The barn this spring also started a 20-horse New York string, and Hollendofer said “I’m not opposed” to running there more. But he added that “I’m all for California racing” — that is, if the circuit will have him.