Santa Anita notes: On the Backstreets might stretch out after Sweet Life Stakes win

ARCADIA, Calif. – On the Backstreets has mastered turf sprints this winter at Santa Anita. She won her first two starts on grass, including Saturday’s $81,650 Sweet Life Stakes for 3-year-old fillies on the hillside turf course.

The win has trainer Peter Miller ready to try On the Backstreets around two turns in the coming months.

“The way she rates, I think we can stretch her out,” Miller said.

On the Backstreets ($5.80) won the Sweet Life over about 6 1/2 furlongs by 2 1/4 lengths over Famous Alice. Those two were first and second in an optional claimer on the hillside turf course Jan. 19, separated by 2 1/4 lengths in that race, too.

On the Backstreets had an ideal trip in the Sweet Life Stakes. She followed the Miller-trained Sprague River through a quick pace and took the lead under leading jockey Rafael Bejarano in the stretch.

“She ran super, and it worked out,” Miller said.

On the Backstreets, by Street Boss, races for a partnership that includes David Lanzman, Brewer Racing, and Rockingham Ranch. The filly has won 3 of 5 starts and $118,510. Last year, she won her debut against maidens over 4 1/2 furlongs on the synthetic main track at Hollywood Park but subsequently was fourth in the Cinderella Stakes and sixth in the Landaluce Stakes for 2-year-old female sprinters.

On the Backstreets did not start again until the January race on turf.

“I thought of her as a synthetic/turf horse,” Miller said. “She trains great on the dirt.”

On the Backstreets is based with Miller at San Luis Rey Downs, which has a dirt training track. One possible goal for her is the $150,000 Providencia Stakes over 1 1/8 miles on turf April 5.

Obviously in light training

Obviously, the winner of three consecutive graded stakes in 2013 and the fifth-place finisher in the Breeders’ Cup Mile in November, has returned to trainer Mike Mitchell’s stable at Santa Anita after a winter break.

A 6-year-old gelding, Obviously is owned by Anthony Fanticola and Joseph Scardino. Obviously has won 9 of 18 starts and earned $1,037,361.

“I’ve got him in some light training,” Mitchell said over the weekend. “I’m not pointing him to anything. He’s just jogging.”

Last spring and summer, Obviously won three consecutive races – the Grade 2 American Handicap and Grade 1 Shoemaker Mile at Hollywood Park and the Grade 2 Del Mar Mile. In 2012, Obviously was third to Wise Dan in the BC Mile at Santa Anita.