Obey may change tactics in Generous Portion
DEL MAR, Calif. – Obey became the leader of the California-bred 2-year-old filly division with her win in the California Thoroughbred Breeders Association Stakes at Del Mar on July 31. With the win comes a target as the filly to beat in Friday’s $150,000 Generous Portion Stakes.
“It seems like they want to gang up on her,” trainer Sam Scolamieri said. “She’s going into the race very good. There’s probably more talent and ability in this race than in the last race.”
The Generous Portion Stakes is run at six furlongs for California-bred 2-year-old fillies and drew a field of nine. Later My Love and Just Google Me, second and third in the CTBA Stakes, are part of the field, along with the recent debut maiden-race winners Cajun Cookin and Ru for Retts.
“Those are the ones that scare me, the ones that have one start,” Scolamieri said.
Generous Portion, Race 6
KEY CONTENDERS
Obey (Last 2 Beyers: 79-71)
◗ Obey, who races for Ted Serna, led throughout a maiden race at five furlongs at Santa Anita on June 25 in her debut and in the CTBA Stakes at 5 1/2 furlongs.
◗ Scolamieri said Obey might not set the pace in the Generous Portion. Jockey Tiago Pereira could opt to stalk Later My Love, who is drawn in post 3, one gate to the inside of Obey.
Later My Love “will be right with her,” Scolamieri said. “I would prefer if we can let someone else [lead]. As it works, she breaks and goes.”
◗ Scolamieri trains Obey at the nearby San Luis Rey Downs training center. The filly has had one recorded workout since the CTBA Stakes, going five furlongs in 1:01.40 on Aug. 15. Last Saturday, Obey had an accelerated gallop at a mile, Scolamieri said.
“It wasn’t a recorded work,” Scolamieri said. “It was a mile in 1:50. It was a fast gallop but kind of an air work. I’ve got her on her toes right now.”
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Later My Love (Last 2 Beyers: 77-24)
◗ Later My Love was a 41-1 outsider in the CTBA Stakes but ran like a top contender. She was near the front throughout and was beaten three-quarters of a length.
“That was kind of amazing,” trainer Jeff Bonde said. “We’ve always liked her a lot. She’s trained great for this race.”
◗ Similar to Scolamieri, Bonde said that Later My Love can adapt to different pace situations.
“I think she’s a versatile horse,” he said. “She seems like she’s developing nicely. We’re optimistic that she’s getting better.”
My Palmilla (Last 2 Beyers: 0-66)
◗ My Palmilla was the sharp winner of a maiden race at five furlongs here July 16 but was eased by jockey Joe Talamo at the top of the stretch in the CTBA Stakes. She did not suffer an injury, according to trainer Mark Glatt, and has since had two workouts.
“It turned out nothing happened,” Glatt said. “Joe said she might have hit a soft spot in the track and didn’t feel right to him. You can never blame somebody for a situation like that if he’s not sure if the horse is hurt. He opted to be as careful as possible.
“She’s come back. We couldn’t find anything. She’s had some nice workouts since. I expect her to bounce back.”