Barnmates Big John B, Obviously clash in San Gabriel
ARCADIA, Calif. – The $200,000 San Gabriel Stakes at 1 1/8 miles on turf at Santa Anita on Saturday might be the only career meeting between Big John B and Obviously. They specialize in different distances and will start in the Grade 2 San Gabriel as a way to prepare for races in February. Big John B is best in longer turf races, while Obviously has excelled in one-mile races.
Phil D’Amato trains both of them and is hopeful that the San Gabriel will be a good fit even if it is outside of their respective strengths.
“I think they both can be effective,” he said.
D’Amato knows Big John B and Obviously need to be at their best. The San Gabriel drew a strong field, including Bal a Bali, who was second in the Grade 2 Seabiscuit Handicap at Del Mar on Nov. 27, and Chiropractor, who won the Grade 1 Hollywood Derby at Del Mar on Nov. 28.
The race drew a field of 14 but will be limited to 11 runners. Of the 11 in the main part of the field, all but Wanstead Gardens has won at least one stakes. On Saturday, the temporary turf rails will be set 10 feet from the permanent position, which narrows the course slightly and limits the size of the field.
San Gabriel, Race 8
KEY CONTENDERS
Big John B (Last 3 Beyers: 99-83-101)
◗ This will be the shortest race for Big John B since he joined D’Amato’s stable in the spring of 2014. Owned by Michael House, Big John B won the Grade 2 Del Mar Handicap at 1 3/8 miles on turf in August but was 10th of 12 in the Breeders’ Cup Turf at Keeneland on Oct. 31 on a course that D’Amato said he did not like.
◗Big John B closed from last of 14 to finish second to The Pizza Man in the Grade 2 Hollywood Turf Cup at 1 1/2 miles at Del Mar on Nov. 26.
“He only ran the last quarter-mile,” D’Amato said. “He came out of the race in good shape.”
◗D’Amato said Big John B will be pointed for the $200,000 San Marcos Stakes at 1 1/4 miles on turf Feb. 6 and that the San Gabriel fits with that schedule.
“I’ve decided that he needs to run,” D’Amato said.
Obviously (Last 3 Beyers: 93-102-104)
◗The San Gabriel will be Obviously’s 25th start and the longest race of his career. An 8-year-old gelding, Obviously started twice in 2015, finishing third in the Grade 1 Woodbine Mile in September and ninth in the BC Mile at Keeneland.
◗Obviously will set the pace, while Big John B will be far back. D’Amato is hopeful that Obviously can get away with a slow pace through the first half-mile.
“If he can go in 23 and 47 [seconds], he’ll be walking the dog,” D’Amato said.
◗The $200,000 Arcadia Stakes at a mile Feb. 13 is the next goal for Obviously.
Bal a Bali (Last 3 Beyers: 96-101-98)
◗Bal a Bali had a successful autumn meeting at Del Mar, winning an optional claimer Oct. 30 and finishing a closing second to Midnight Storm in the Seabiscuit Handicap at 1 1/16 miles on turf Nov. 27.
“Other than we didn’t win, we couldn’t have been happier,” trainer Richard Mandella said. “He was flying.”
◗Bal a Bali is a stalker who should have no difficulty with the San Gabriel’s distance. He won three major stakes at 1 1/2 miles on turf in Brazil in early 2014.
Chiropractor (Last 3 Beyers: 98-95-88)
◗Chiropractor, trained by Tom Proctor, won the Hollywood Derby at 1 1/8 miles on turf in his stakes debut, rallying from 10th to win by a head as a 14-1 shot. Om, who finished third in that race, returned to win the Grade 2 Mathis Brothers Mile here last Saturday.
◗Chiropractor is a closer who will need a favorable trip. He was fifth and second in optional claimers against older horses in the fall.