Del Mar notes: Sweet Lulu eyes Breeders’ Cup

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DEL MAR, Calif. – Sweet Lulu, who remained unbeaten with a hard-fought victory in the Test Stakes at Saratoga on Saturday, is likely to be pointed to the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint, trainer Jerry Hollendorfer said Tuesday on a national teleconference.

The BC Filly and Mare Sprint, like the Test, is at seven furlongs on dirt.

“She just won going seven-eighths, and it’s in our backyard,” Hollendorfer said of the Breeders’ Cup, to be run at Santa Anita on Nov. 1-2.

Hollendorfer said he would consult with owner Steve Beneto before making a firm plan. He said if the Breeders’ Cup is bypassed, the other option would be to run in the Cotillion at Parx on Sept. 21, followed by the Raven Run at Keeneland on Oct. 19.

“She came out of the race well,” Hollendorfer said. “She’s coming home today, and we’ll go over her head to toe, run some blood on her, and then try to figure out what makes the most sense.”

Obviously on 2012 schedule

Obviously, the winner of the Del Mar Mile on Sunday, will make his next start in the City of Hope Mile as a prep for the Breeders’ Cup Mile, mirroring the schedule he had last year. In 2012, he won the Del Mar Mile as well as what was then known as the Arroyo Seco Mile before finishing third in the Breeders’ Cup Mile to Wise Dan and Animal Kingdom.

“That’s the plan,” trainer Mike Mitchell said after the race.

Obviously has won three straight races and six of his last eight. His victory in the Grade 1 Shoemaker Mile at Betfair Hollywood Park on June 29 earned him a fees-paid berth to the BC Mile through the Win and You’re In program.

Obviously provided a rare stakes win at this meet for jockey Joe Talamo, who has retained his good humor despite a subpar season for him. When a few reporters gathered around him after the Del Mar Mile, he said, “I haven’t seen you guys enough.”

Talamo has ridden more horses than any other rider at this meet but is winning at less than a 10 percent strike rate.

“I went 0 for 84 one time at Santa Anita. It’s part of the game,” Talamo said. “You just have to stay confident, stay positive in yourself. This is the third Del Mar Mile I’ve won in a row, so this has been a pretty good race for me.”

Talamo won the Del Mar Mile last year with Obviously and in 2011 with Caracortado.