Report: Court documents point to reasoning behind Hollendorfer ban
The Los Angeles Times shed additional light on the ongoing Jerry Hollendorfer saga Friday with a report indicating the Hall of Fame conditioner had been under scrutiny for several weeks before he was finally banned from all Stronach Group racetracks in mid-June.
The Times report is based off court declarations filed in Alameda County Court by Dr. Dr. Dana Stead, Santa Anita's racing veterinarian, and Dr. Dionne Benson, chief veterinarian of the Stronach Group. Both claim Hollendorfer was too quick to race unsound horses.
Stead cites an example that occurred May 18, when jockey Rafael Bejarano reported he felt lameness in the right front leg of Blackjackcat following a workout. The next day, Blackjackcat was entered to race on May 24. However, on May 20, Stead examined the horse and found his lameness on a 1-5 scale to be a 3.
Blackjackcat scratched on May 23 after Dr. Tim Grande, chief veterinarian of the California Horse Racing Board, confirmed the lameness and ordered an ultrasound.
“The fact that no veterinary diagnostics were performed until the horse was scratched was negligence by Mr. Hollendorfer,” Stead said.
Attorney Drew Couto, who represents Hollendorfer, told the Times he plans to file declarations of his own to refute the claims.
Dan Ward, Hollendorfer's longtime assistant trainer, appeared to deny the allegations on Twitter Friday afternoon.
While granted a temporary junction to race through Del Mar's summer meet, Hollendorfer is currently banned from all Stronach Group facilities, which in California includes Santa Anita, Golden Gate Fields and San Luis Rey Downs.
Hollendorfer also is currently seeking a temporary restraining order in Alameda County Superior Court that would allow him to race at Golden Gate. Judge Noel Wise is scheduled to rule next Friday.