Hall of fame trainer asks courts to let him race at Golden Gate Fields

OAKLAND — Hall of Fame trainer Jerry Hollendorfer is asking an Alameda County Superior Court judge to lift a ban stopping him from stabling or racing horses at Golden Gate Fields in Albany, according to a legal complaint.

Hollendorfer requested emergency relief with a temporary restraining order or preliminary injunction against the Pacific Racing Association so he can work the fall season that begins Thursday and runs through Sept. 29.

The California Thoroughbred Trainers joined Hollendorfer in the complaint against the association, which is licensed to operate racing at Golden Gate Field for the Stronach Group, the companty that owns the East Bay track and Santa Anita Park near Los Angeles.

Stronach banned Hollendorfer, 73, on June 22 from their California tracks after the fourth thoroughbred under his care  died during the winter season at Santa Anita. Hollendorfer told this news organization that he was never given a reason for the ban. The action came as the racing industry faced increasing pressure to dramatically change the sport in the wake of news of scores of horses dying during races and training.

Hollendorfer’s lawyer, Drew Couto, said Wednesday that Pacific Racing Association officials need to give the trainer a fair hearing process before they can ban him from the track. According to the complaint, California tracks have an agreement with the state thoroughbred trainers group not to discriminate against a trainer “by way of arbitrary or capricious conduct by the track.”

A hearing is scheduled on Friday before Alameda Superior Court Judge Noel Wise.

David Duggan, general manager and vice president of Golden Gate Fields, declined to comment Wednesday.

Hollendorfer could not be immediately reached for comment.

The complaint, filed Monday, said the California Thoroughbred Trainers recently asked the California Horse Racing Board, the state commission that governs the industry, to intervene in the dispute between Hollendorfer and track owners. An investigation into the matter has not been completed, the complaint said.

Couto used a similar legal tactic to win a temporary restraining order July 26 that has allowed Hollendorfer to return to the stables at the Del Mar Racetrack after an initial ban. The Del Mar summer season ends Sept. 2.
In the ruling, a San Diego judge said: “Mr. Hollendorfer will suffer irreparable harm if an injunction is not issued.”

Hollendorfer also was banned by the New York Racing Association after the Stronach Group’s initial sanction. Couto said Hollendorfer would need to file another complaint should owners try to prohibit him from competing in Santa Anita’s fall season that begins Sept. 27.

Hollendorfer began his career in the Bay Area four decades ago. He ranks third of all-time among trainers, with 7,628 wins. Hollendorfer was inducted into the Racing Hall of Fame in 2011.

Staff writer Angela Ruggiero contributed to this report.