Hollendorfer Inducted into Hall of Fame

Before a packed house in the Fasig-Tipton Humphrey S. Finney Sales Pavilion on Friday morning, fillies Sky Beauty, Safely Kept, and Open Mind were inducted into the National Thoroughbred Racing Hall of Fame along with trainer Jerry Hollendorfer.

Historic Review inductees were jockey Shelby “Pike” Barnes, trainer Matthew Barnes and the horse Duke of Magenta.

Both Open Mind and Sky Beauty swept what was then considered the New York Triple Tiara – the Grade 1 Acorn, Mother Goose and Coaching Club American Oaks – and all eight fillies to pull off the triple are in the Hall of Fame. Open Mind, a 3-year-old in 1989, added the Alabama at Saratoga, as did Sky Beauty in 1993.

Duke of Magenta won the Belmont Stakes and the Travers in 1878.

An emotional Hollendorfer read off a list of owners who have supported him throughout his career and finished by saying, “Last, but not least, M.C. Hammer,” acknowledging the rap star who campaigned Lite Light. That filly staged an epic series of races with Meadow Star at age 2 and 3. In 1991, Lite Light, trained by Hollendorfer, beat her arch rival in the Coaching Club American Oaks by seven lengths.

Before his induction, Hollendorfer said his 4-year-old star filly Blind Luck remains under consideration for the Grade 1, $300,000 Personal Ensign on August 28 at Saratoga. He said he did not know when he would make a decision.