Santa Anita: Obviously tries sprinting in San Simeon

ARCADIA, Calif. – The last time that Obviously raced, he finished third to Wise Dan and Animal Kingdom in the Breeders’ Cup Mile at Santa Anita.

“He got beat by the Horse of the Year and the horse that won the [Dubai] World Cup,” said jockey Joe Talamo. “That’s pretty good when you look back. That’s as tough as it gets.”

Fortunately for Obviously, he does not face such world-famous runners in Saturday’s $100,000 San Simeon Stakes on the hillside turf course at Santa Anita. His six rivals have all won or placed in stakes in the last year, but not such major races.

Obviously is expected to have a big season in 2013. Last year, he had outstanding form in turf miles during the summer and fall – winning the Grade 2 Del Mar Mile in August and the Grade 2 Arroyo Seco Mile here in October. In the BC Mile, Obviously led to the eighth pole and was beaten two lengths by Wise Dan.[bc_video_id:289777:]

“My horse ran his race,” trainer Mike Mitchell said. “He ran his guts out.”

Mitchell said that Obviously was due a rest after the BC Mile. For Saturday’s Grade 3 San Simeon, Mitchell is eager to try Obviously in a turf sprint over about 6 1/2 furlongs, wondering if the BC Turf Sprint could be a long-term option this fall.

“I’d like to run him down the hill and see how he does,” Mitchell said. “I think he’s a much better horse than last year. He’s doing super. His workouts and his gallop outs have been good. I think I’ve got a good foundation with him.”

Talamo has been Obviously’s regular rider since last June. In six starts aboard the 5-year-old Obviously, Talamo has won three races and been second or third in the other three races. Talamo said he thinks that Obviously is best at a mile.

Talamo expects Obviously to stalk the pace, which is likely to be set by Chosen Miracle or Chips All In, who are stakes-placed in hillside turf sprints in the last year. Chips All In was beaten a nose in the Joe Hernandez Stakes on Feb. 23.

“At a mile, he’s in front,” Talamo said of Obviously. “At 6 1/2, I think he’s ratable. One thing, he definitely finishes. He doesn’t fly out there and then stop.”