Hollendorfer on Hand for Vasilika's Work at Del Mar

Vasilika, the $40,000 claim that has turned into one of the top female turf runners in the country, worked six furlongs on Del Mar's Jimmy Durante turf course July 28 in her final work for the Aug. 3 Yellow Ribbon Handicap (G2T) at the seaside oval.

Under exercise rider Edgar Rodriguez, Vasilika was timed in 1:14 1/5 as the only turf worker at the distance with splits of :25 2/5 and :37 3/5.

Hall of Fame trainer Jerry Hollendorfer, who claimed the 5-year-old daughter of Skipshot  in February 2018 and is a part owner of the mare, was on hand to watch the exercise on his first day at the track since a legal victory July 26 in a San Diego courtroom.

Superior Court judge Ronald Frazier granted a preliminary injunction allowing Hollendorfer to return to work pending arbitration of bans imposed by The Stronach Group at Santa Anita Park in June and carried over by the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club.

Back at his customary stable area Sunday morning, Hollendorfer agreed with the judge's decision. He said it felt good to be back at the track and around people and horses who have made up a major part of his life for four decades as a trainer and 10 years before that as a stable worker.

But things have certainly changed.

"It's not business as usual," Hollendorfer said. "I have 17 horses, where last year I had 50."

Vasilika turned in her first Del Mar work of the season July 21, covering six furlongs in 1:16 4/5 on the turf. She recorded three works at Los Alamitos Race Course after Hollendorfer was ruled off Santa Anita's grounds.

Also owned by All Schlaich Stables, Gatto Racing, and George Todaro, Vasilika is undefeated in four starts this season. She last won the Gamely Stakes (G1T) May 27 at Santa Anita.