Harty elected president of California Thoroughbred Trainers

Eoin Harty last week was elected the new president of the California Thoroughbred Trainers, which represents the state’s trainers. The CTT has come under criticism from members in recent months owing to numerous issues, the latest involving Hall of Fame trainer Jerry Hollendorfer. Harty replaces Jim Cassidy.

Harty said he hopes “first and foremost” to “bring resolution to the Jerry Hollendorfer situation.”

Hollendorfer, a Hall of Fame trainer, was evicted from Santa Anita last month following a fatal breakdown of a horse approved to work, and is not being permitted by Del Mar to run horses here, even though he has no ruling against him from the California Horse Racing Board. Del Mar officials have not made any public comment about the specifics of the situation.

Harty said he also wants to work “to restore faith in the public and the media that we’re turning a new leaf, going above and beyond to provide the safest racing possible” following a spate of injuries at Santa Anita in February and March whose ramifications are still being felt months later.

Bonus offered in 2-year-old races

Trainers with barns of fewer than 50 horses are being offered a 25 percent purse bonus at Del Mar in maiden special weight races for 2-year-olds, an effort by the track to encourage participation against the larger stables that often dominate juvenile racing here.

In addition, the track’s popular Ship and Win program applies to 2-year-olds, so “if one of those horses wins a maiden race, it’s like you’re running for a $100,000 purse,” said David Jerkens, the track’s racing secretary.