ELMONT, N.Y. – John Hertler, who trained Slew o’ Gold during his 1984 championship season and one of the nicest people on the backstretch, has retired from training following a 41-year career. Hertler, 69, was down to four horses and has been battling Parkinson’s disease for years. He ran his final horse on Thursday, Yankee Division, who finished fourth in a $30,000 claiming race at Belmont Park. “I didn’t have any stock. I have Parkinson’s disease, that didn’t help,” Hertler said by phone when asked why now is the time to retire. “Couldn’t make any money training.” Hertler’s four horses are being split among George Weaver, Bobby Vetter (two), and Robert Falcone Jr. Hertler won 751 races from 7,844 starters in a career that began in 1978. Prior to training on his own, Hertler worked for the Hall of Fame trainer P.G. Johnson. In 1984, Hertler took over the training of Slew o’ Gold from Sidney Watters Jr. That year, Slew o’ Gold won the Whitney, Woodward, Marlboro Cup, and Jockey Club Gold Cup. He crossed the finish line third in the Breeders’ Cup Classic but was elevated to second with the disqualification of Gate Dancer from the runner-up spot. Hertler said the 1984 Whitney was his fondest racing memory. “Because he won so easily,” Hertler said. “[Jockey] Angel Cordero said that day he could’ve beat anybody around.” Other stakes winners trained by Hertler included Kashatreya, Private Man, Man Alright, Man’s Hero, Ballindagin, and Slew the Dragon.