Santa Anita: Longview Drive targets Santa Anita Derby

Longview Drive, sixth in a division of the Grade 2 Southwest Stakes at Oaklawn Park on Feb. 20, is an intended starter in the $750,000 Santa Anita Derby on April 7, trainer Jerry Hollendorfer said.

Owned by Steve Beneto, Longview Drive is winless in three graded stakes since recording his second stakes win in the Charlie Palmer Futurity at Fresno last October. Longview Drive was third in the Grade 3 Delta Downs Jackpot Stakes last November and third in the Grade 3 Sham Stakes at Santa Anita in January.

On Friday at Hollywood Park, where Hollendorfer’s Southern California horses are based, Longview Drive worked seven furlongs in 1:27.80.

The field of probable starters for the Santa Anita Derby is led by Creative Cause and Bodemeister, the first two finishers of the Grade 2 San Felipe Stakes on March 10. Friday at Santa Anita, Bodemeister worked a half-mile in 46.80 seconds.

5K race to be held on Santa Anita Derby Day

The Santa Anita Derby Day 5K walk and run will be held April 7.

Registration is open to the public for an event that benefits several charities in the community and the California Retirement Management Account for ex-racehorses.

The 5K run begins at 8 a.m., with participants suggested to arrive by 7:15 a.m. More than 6,000 runners and walkers are expected. The event finishes on the infield training track.

Further information is available at santaanita.com.