It's official: Hollendorfer granted injunction to race at Del Mar

Hall of Fame trainer Jerry Hollendorfer can return to stabling and racing horses at Del Mar, a judge ruled Friday.

Judge Ronald F. Frazier of the San Diego Superior Court granted Hollendorfer a preliminary injunction, striking down Del Mar’s ban of the trainer from running or stabling horses at the Southern California track.

“I guess I can go back to work,” Hollendorfer told media after the ruling, according to Paulick Report. “I’m very grateful the judge ruled in our favor.”

Frazier’s official ruling came one day after the judge filed a tentative ruling that said, “there is not sufficient evidence for the court to conclude (Del Mar) will suffer any harm by issuance of an injunction.”

The track in written statements by its attorney and president have argued that allowing Hollendorfer to remain active there is a public relations risk to its private business.

Frazier wrote that the track can’t deny Hollendorfer’s stall applications “until fair procedure can be completed.”

Hollendorfer had the California Thoroughbred Trainers join him in a July 15 complaint that requested a restraining order allowing him to operate at Del Mar.

Last month, The Stronach Group, which owns Santa Anita Park and Golden Gate Fields, banned him from the grounds after four of his horses died as a result of injuries in racing and training at Santa Anita since Dec. 26.

“There is evidence (Del Mar) did indeed arbitrarily deny Mr. Hollendorfer's stall application without first providing him fair procedure,” Frazier’s tentative ruling from Thursday read. “Accordingly, the court finds there is adequate evidence to conclude Plaintiffs have a reasonable likelihood of prevailing on the merits, as to their claims for declaratory relief and breach of contract.”

Chris Jaczko, the attorney representing Del Mar, wrote earlier in asking Frazier to dismiss the complaint that, “The racing industry in California is in the midst of an almost existential crisis amid calls from the public, media, Governor’s office, the California legislature, Congress and the (California Horse Racing Board) to pull out all reasonable stops to assure everyone that the industry is doing everything it reasonably can to ensure the safety of horses.

“Unfortunately, despite his lengthy and successful career during the past six months. Hollendorfer has accounted for 15% of the horses that have lost their lives in racing and training at two California tracks.”

Hollendorfer, 73, ranks third all-time in North America in wins with multiple champions, Breeders’ Cup winners and a Kentucky Oaks heroine.

Dan Ward, Hollendorfer’s assistant, has operated what’s left of the stable. Frazier noted in his tentative ruling that since Del Mar’s ban “was first reported to the media,” Hollendorfer has lost some 40 horses.

Between the Santa Anita and Del Mar meets, which began July 17, Hollendorfer runners competed at Los Alamitos without issue. Del Mar runs through Labor Day.

Frazier ruled for parties to meet again on Oct. 25.