Downs Seeks Hollywood Park

Churchill Downs, looking to expand its operations to the West Coast, said it is negotiating to acquire Hollywood Park in Inglewood, Calif.

The announcement comes about two months after Churchill Downs agreed to purchase Calder Racecourse in Miami for $86 million to broaden its simulcast operations.

Prime Directive, the only Flamingo Stakes entry with a shot at the Kentucky Derby, found his path even tougher when he drew the outside post in the eight-horse field for Saturday’s race at Hialeah, Fla.

Even with the poor draw, Prime Directive was made the 2-1 favorite in the 1-1/8-mile, $250,000 race for 3-year-olds. First American was next at 5-2, followed by Cryptodiplomacy at 4-1.

Although Desert Hero has had only two starts, he was made the 5-2 favorite to beat seven other 3-year-olds Saturday in the 1-1/8-mile Santa Anita Derby, the West’s top Kentucky Derby prep, at Arcadia, Calif.

The second and third early choices - General Challenge (3-1) and Prime Timber (7-2) are trained by Bob Baffert, who finished 1-2 with Indian Charlie and Real Quiet in last year’s Santa Anita Derby.