Hall of Famer Jerry Hollendorfer was on the balcony of Barn J,
overseeing workouts as usual, on the morning after becoming only the
fourth trainer in history to saddle 6,000 winners.
The milestone was reached Saturday with a victory in the sixth race
at Golden Gate Fields with Just Tappin It, ridden by jockey career wins
leader Russell Baze. It ended a nearly two-week wait through more than
two dozen horses to record two wins that stood between Hollendorfer and
the mark in mid- August. Attempts to get No. 6,001 at Del Mar and Golden
Gate Fields later in the day were unsuccessful.
“It’s good to get it out of the way,” Hollendorfer said. “I’m one of
the lucky ones to ever have a chance to win 6,000. I’m grateful for that
and I’d like to keep going. I got texts from all over. It was very
nice. People have been very kind to me.”
Hollendorfer joins a group that includes Dale Baird (9,445 wins), Jack Van Berg (6,407) and King Leatherbury (6,324).
“I know all of them except King Leatherbury,” Hollendorfer said. “I
haven’t gotten to meet him. He’s on my list of people that I’d like to
meet. I got to meet Dale Baird before he died and of course I’ve known
Jack Van Berg for many years since he’s been on the West Coast. Of
course, I knew of him before I ever came on the racetrack.
“I’m very pleased to be in that group of people.”
On to 7,000?
“I don’t know. If I can make 7,000, fine. But that seems like a long way off.”