Two trainers ordered to vacate stalls at Santa Anita

California trainers Mike Pender and Marcelo Polanco were told by Santa Anita management over the weekend to vacate their stalls, according to two track officials who declined to speak publicly. Pender, who has approximately 19 horses, was cited for an undisclosed horse-welfare issue, while Polanco, who has five horses in his care, was cited for training a horse on behalf of another person, according to the track officials. It was not immediately clear when Pender and Polanco would be required to disperse their horses. Santa Anita stewards conducted a hearing with Pender regarding a horse-welfare issue on May 13. The stewards have not released a decision in the case. Pender, 53, has won five races with 45 starters this year. He has won such prestigious races as the Grade 1 Shoemaker Mile at Hollywood Park in 2012 and Grade 1 Eddie Read Stakes at Del Mar in 2013 with Jeranimo. Pender won the Grade 3 Robert Lewis Stakes at Santa Anita in 2018 with Lombo. Polanco was listed as trainer of Commander Coil, who was euthanized Friday after suffering a shoulder injury while galloping at Santa Anita. Commander Coil was the first horse lost in a training or racing accident at Santa Anita since March 31...MORE