Hollendorfer seeks court order to get back on the track
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 today 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 Fields 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. In the ruling, a San Diego judge said: “Mr. Hollendorfer will suffer irreparable harm if an injunction is not issued.”
Hollendorfer began his career in the Bay Area four decades ago. He ranks third of all-time among trainers, with 7,628 wins. He was inducted into the Racing Hall of Fame in 2011.
Soccer
U.S. WOMEN READY TO PLEAD THEIR CASE IN COURT >> The players of the world champion U.S. women’s national soccer team are ready to take their pay dispute to court after mediation with the U.S. Soccer Federation broke down Wednesday.
Maintaining that they are paid less than their counterparts on the U.S. men’s national team, the USWNT players will proceed with the lawsuit they filed before successfully defending their Women’s World Cup title in France this summer.
The players’ spokesperson, Molly Levinson, said in the statement, “We entered this week’s mediation with representatives of USSF full of hope. Today we must conclude these meetings sorely disappointed in the Federation’s determination to perpetuate fundamentally discriminatory workplace conditions and behavior . ... We want all of our fans, sponsors, peers around the world, and women everywhere to know we are undaunted and will eagerly look forward to a jury trial.”
The USSF issued its own statement, saying, “... during mediation we had hoped we would be able to address the issues in a respectful manner and reach an agreement. Unfortunately, instead of allowing mediation to proceed in a considerate manner, plaintiffs’ counsel took an aggressive and ultimately unproductive approach that follows months of presenting misleading information to the public in an effort to perpetuate confusion. ... Despite inflammatory statements from their spokesperson, which are intended to paint our actions inaccurately and unfairly, we are undaunted in our efforts to continue discussions in good faith.”
Last month, the USSF publicly announced it paid more to the women’s players than to the men’s players from 2010-18. However, the USWNT dismissed the figures as being inaccurate, and the U.S. men’s national team players issued a statement also disputing the federation’s numbers.
Tennis
TOP SEEDS ADVANCE AT WESTERN & SOUTHERN >> After a slow start, topseeded Ashleigh Barty made quick work of Maria Sharapova, winning 6-4, 6-1 in 89 minutes to reach the round of 16 at the Western & Southern Open near Cincinnati. Second-seeded Naomi Osaka and fourth-seeded Simona Halep had to work harder to advance, both surviving three-set duels. Third-seeded Karolina Pliskova advanced in two.
Basketball
LUE LINKED TO CLIPPERS >> The Los Angeles Clippers are close to hiring Tyronn Lue, the former Cleveland Cavaliers head coach, as a top assistant to coach Doc Rivers, according to multiple reports. In May, Lue was widely billed as the leading candidate to take over as head coach of the LeBron James-led Los Angeles Lakers before talks abruptly collapsed over contract terms.
NETS DEAL NEARS >> Joseph Tsai, a cofounder of Alibaba, the Chinese internet giant, is closing in on a recordbreaking deal to gain sole ownership of the Brooklyn Nets. The deal, valuing the team at $2.35 billion, will set a record for the purchase price of a sports franchise.