Hollywood Park: Obviously will try to repeat in Del Mar Mile

INGLEWOOD, Calif. – Obviously won two races last summer at Del Mar, including the Del Mar Mile, and he’ll look to defend his title in that Grade 2, $200,000 race Aug. 25 following his win Saturday in the Shoemaker Mile, according to trainer Mike Mitchell.

“That’s definite,” said Mitchell, who scored the 900th win of his career at Hollywood Park in the Shoemaker Mile. “Our ultimate goal is the Breeders’ Cup Mile on turf.”

The Shoemaker Mile win gave Obviously a fees-paid berth into the BC Mile, a race in which he finished third last year behind Wise Dan and Animal Kingdom, beaten just two lengths. Like last year, this year’s BC races will be at Santa Anita.

Mitchell said he thinks Obviously “is a little stronger, a little more filled out” this year.

Obviously has a remarkably consistent record. He hasn’t finished worse than third in his last 11 starts, all for Mitchell after he was imported from Europe, and he has won five of his last seven.

Mitchell missed most of Del Mar’s meet last year after having surgery for a brain tumor, but he plans on spending far more time there this year. He has won more races than any trainer in Del Mar history.