Hollendorfer eyeing Santa Anita Derby for Instilled Regard

ARCADIA, Calif. – Instilled Regard, fourth in the Grade 2 Risen Star Stakes at Fair Grounds on Feb. 17, may stay in California for his next start.

Trainer Jerry Hollendorfer said Wednesday that Instilled Regard is a candidate for the $1 million Santa Anita Derby on April 7, but the trainer has not ruled out the $1 million Louisiana Derby on March 24 at Fair Grounds.

“We’re not carved in stone yet,” Hollendorfer said.

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Instilled Regard worked five furlongs in 59.20 seconds Wednesday at Santa Anita, the fastest time of the morning for the distance.

“I think he’s training as good as he can train,” Hollendorfer said.

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Owned by Larry Best’s OXO Equine, Instilled Regard won the Grade 3 Lecomte Stakes at a mile and 70 yards on Jan. 13 at Fair Grounds. In the Risen Star Stakes at 1 1/16 miles, Instilled Regard was beaten 2 1/4 lengths by Bravazo after racing wide on both turns.

“He wasn’t beaten that far,” Hollendorfer said. “It’s not a race you have to throw out.”

◗ Wednesday, Dream Tree, the undefeated 3-year-old filly, worked a half-mile in 48.40 seconds for an expected start in the Grade 1 Santa Anita Oaks at 1 1/16 miles on April 7. Trained by Bob Baffert, Dream Tree won the Grade 2 Las Virgenes Stakes on Feb. 4 for her fourth win and first start this year.

Baffert scratched Dream Tree from the Grade 3 Santa Ysabel Stakes last Saturday because of a wet-fast track.