After three years, Jerry Hollendorfer and the Stronach Group organizations have settled a lawsuit over an owner’s decision to ban the Hall of Fame coach from his activities in Southern California and Northern California .
Under the agreement, the terms of settlement of litigation filed by Hollendorfer against the Stronach Corporations entities in Los Angeles and San Francisco were, under the agreement, confidential except for confirming the settlement and stating that no which party accepts liability.
Craig Fravel, CEO at 1st Racing (Stronach Group), issued a brief statement on June 10 confirming the existence of the agreement but little else.
“Mr. Hollendorfer, Stronach Corporation, Santa Anita . Parkand Golden Gate Field reached a joint resolution of the litigation in Los Angeles Superior Court and Alameda Superior Court. The settlement of this dispute does not reflect any party’s acceptance of liability,” the statement read.
It is not uncommon for settlements to have a non-disclosure requirement. What is interesting about this is that the parties are not free to share publicly whether Hollendorfer is allowed to settle and import horses at the California racetracks owned by the Stronach Corporation.
The answer to that question may become evident in the coming days, weeks, or months. When asked about whether Hollendorfer will run in Santa Anita or Golden Gate in the future, Fravel declined to comment on BloodHorse beyond the public release. Fravel’s release does not preclude a future announcement in this regard.
Racing in Southern California will soon move this summer from Santa Anita to Los Alamitos . Racecourse and Del Martwo songs that Hollendorfer was able to participate in.
Hollendorfer has been suspended from the Stronach racetracks in California longer than the two-year ban imposed on Bob Baffert by Churchill Downs in June 2021 after that coach Medina Spirit failed a post-race drug test after finishing first in last year’s Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve (G1). A hearing officer recommended that Baffert be banned for two years from the New York Racing Association races starting July 2.
Hollendorfer was informed on June 22, 2019, during a meeting in Santa Anita with former TSG executive Tim Ritvo to clear his cage within 72 hours. He has not been allowed to return since.
A notice of the settlement was filed in Los Angeles Superior Court on June 8. It said the settlement was made on June 7 and that it was “unconditional.” Notify the parties within 45 days to arrange a formal dismissal of the case. If that doesn’t happen by July 20, a formal hearing regarding the dismissal of the case will be scheduled.
Hollendorfer lost in round one of the litigation when, on April 29, Judge Maurice Leiter delivered his ruling following a bench trial stating that under the terms of the race settlement and stability agreement , Hollendorfer has no right to bring his part of the case to challenge his denial. . Under those terms, Leiter ruled that only California Thoroughbred Trainers had that right — a right not exercised by the organization — to take action on Hollendorfer’s behalf.
Hollendorfer was deported after six horses died in his care from November 18, 2018 and the date of the trainer’s expulsion. According to Hollendorfer, Ritvo told him, “Belinda (Stronach) wants you out of here.” The TSG said it gave Hollendorfer a “due process hearing,” in what is believed to be a requirement of California law, next September.
Ahead of the recent bench trial, Hollendorfer’s plea for a transfer to Santa Anita was denied by the Los Angeles Superior Court in September 2019, February 2020, and November 2021.
