After CTBA win, Obey eyes Generous Portion

DEL MAR, Calif. – The 2-year-old filly Obey gave trainer Sam Scolamieri his first stakes win in more than 18 years when she won the $100,000 California Thoroughbred Breeders Association Stakes at Del Mar on Friday night.

Scolamieri might only wait another month for his next big win.

On Saturday, Scolamieri, who is based at the San Luis Rey Downs training center in northern San Diego County, said Obey will be considered for the $150,000 Generous Portion Stakes for California-bred 2-year-old fillies at six furlongs Aug. 28.

“I’ve got to think about that,” Scolamieri said. “I think four weeks sounds good. I’m not into running them too much.”

Obey is unbeaten in two starts, having won a maiden race at Santa Anita on June 25. In the CTBA Stakes at 5 1/2 furlongs, Obey ($9.20) led throughout and held off a sustained threat from Later My Love to win by three-quarters of a length.

Scolamieri said in the winner’s circle that Obey is not a filly who behaves like a 2-year-old.

“She’s a mature filly,” Scolamieri said. “She acts like she’s 3. You show her something new, and she acts like she’s done it all the time.”

The CTBA Stakes was Scolamieri’s first stakes win since Our Summer Bid took the Grade 3 Las Flores Handicap at Santa Anita in February 1997. Scolamieri, 64, has a five-horse stable at San Luis Rey Downs.

“I keep a handful every year,” he said. “The challenge is coming up with a nice one. It’s hard anyway, and with a few, it’s harder. We’re looking for a needle in a haystack.”

The CTBA Stakes was the stakes debut of My Palmilla, a maiden-race winner here July 16. She was eased in early stretch but did cross under the wire. Jockey Joe Talamo told stewards that My Palmilla “took a bad step.” On Saturday, trainer Mark Glatt that My Palmilla did not sustain an injury.

Obey, by Desert Code, is owned by Ted Serna and has earned $90,600.