Summer Hit, Longview Drive clash again in Oak Tree Handicap

Which trainer would you rather be heading into Saturday’s inaugural $100,000 Oak Tree Handicap at the Oak Tree at Pleasanton race meet?

Would it be: A) the trainer of the horse with the best speed in a speed-laden race; B) the trainer of perhaps the only runner in the field of six who is comfortable coming from off the pace; or C) Jerry Hollendorfer?

The answer is C, Hollendorfer, who happens to train likely pacesetter Summer Hit and Longview Drive, who sat back early and nearly ran down Summer Hit in the one-mile All American Stakes at Golden Gate Fields.

The Oak Tree Handicap, the first $100,000 race ever to be held at the Alameda County Fair racetrack, will be run at 1 1/8 miles on dirt, which adds to the challenge for likely favorite Summer Hit.

Summer Hit is virtually invincible on the Tapeta main track at Golden Gate Fields, but in his lone dirt start – and his only try at this distance – he finished seventh after setting the pace for six furlongs. That came against much stronger competition in the Grade 1 Awesome Again last year at Santa Anita, won by Mucho Macho Man, so the jury is still out on how Summer Hit handles dirt.

Longview Drive, who broke his maiden and later was third when favored in a stakes here, couldn’t get past Summer Hit in the All American on Tapeta, losing by a head. The surface switch and extra furlong could make the difference Saturday.

Both Longview Drive and Summer Hit have had three works since the May 26 All American.

Russell Baze expects to be pressured hard early aboard Summer Hit, but he pointed out that the horse is tough to pass, as demonstrated in the All American.

“He was not going to let [Longview Drive] go by him,” Baze said after the All American. “Longview Drive would have gone by most horses as hard as he was running.”

Footbridge, who has won two straight, including once at 1 1/4 miles, drew the rail and has the speed that could make Summer Hit extend himself early.

Beast of Bourbon has two straight wire-to-wire wins, including an optional-claiming win one week ago. He probably will be relegated to a stalking role here.

Cahill Chrome also comes off a front-running victory, but it was in a $10,000 claimer. He has earned $107,869 and does have some past class.

Just Win Baby won the Saskatchewan Derby last year.