Longview Drive wins inaugural Oak Tree Handicap at Pleasanton
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Photo:
Don August
Back in 2012, trainer Jerry Hollendorfer had Longview Drive on the Kentucky Derby trail.
After a good two-year-old campaign that saw him win two local stakes, he ran third in both the Delta Downs Jackpot Stakes and the Sham Stakes at Santa Anita before the run came to an end in the Santa Anita Derby with a last place finish.
Saturday, he became a winner once again.
With a powerful stretch run under William Antongeorgi III, Longview Drive ran down both pace-setting Summer Hit and So-Cal invader Footbridge to win the first ever $100,000 Oak Tree Handicap at the Pleasanton Fairgrounds.
It was the first win for the son of Pulpit since 2011.
"I think the dirt made the difference," Antongeorgi said. "He ran a killer race last time at Golden Gate but I had to get into him sooner, today he was just dragging me up there and I just had to get him in the clear and he ate up the dirt down the lane."
Longview Drive has now won four career races and all four have come over a dirt surface.
Last time out, Longview Drive ran second to stablemate Summer Hit, when losing by a long head at 24-1 in the Grade 3 All American Stakes. This time however, Summer Hit was not allowed an easy lead, thanks to pressure by longshot Cahill Chrome.
Around the turn into the stretch, Summer Hit was confronted and passed by Footbridge, who then was passed late by Longview Drive, as the winner pulled away for a one length win.
"I know Russell's horse (Summer Hit) is real tough but I was hoping he'd falter a little bit. My horse was just better today," Antongeorgi said. "Today he got into the bit right out of the gate. Around the turn I knew I had him, I just had to get clear."
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