Obviously defeated Trailblazer by 1 1/2 lengths to win the $150,000 Arroyo Seco Mile in a prep for the BC Turf.
Ridden by Joe Talamo, Ireland-bred Obviously ran a mile on the
turf in 1:31.95 and paid $4.40, $3 and $2.10 as the 6-5 favorite. It
was his third straight win for trainer Mike Mitchell, who had brain
surgery this summer.
"He needed to perform like this today to consider the Breeders' Cup with him, but now, why not?" he said.
Japan-bred Trailblazer returned $5.60 and $2.80 in his U.S.
debut. Mr. Commons was another half-length back in third and paid $2.10
to show, with trainer John Shirreffs saying he would consider the
Breeders' Cup for the 4-year-old colt. Midnight Interlude, who won last
year's Santa Anita Derby for Baffert, finished last in the field of five
and is 0-3 this year.
Obviously has six wins in 11 career starts and earnings of $370,361.
Merit Man overtook South Floyd nearing the stretch and went on
to a 5 1/2-length win in the inaugural $100,000 Tim Conway Stakes under
Patrick Valenzuela. The 2-year-old colt ran 6 furlongs in 1:10.56 and
paid $7.80, $3.80 and $2.60.
Trainer Bob Hess Jr. said Merit Man might be pointed toward
the BC Sprint. Valenzuela, who turns 50 later this month, returned after
missing a few days with knee issues.
South Floyd returned $3.60 and $3, while No Rachmones paid
$4.40 to show. Scherer Magic, the 6-5 favorite, finished last among five
in the race named for the actor and comic who starred on the ``Carol
Burnett Show’’ and is a longtime supporter of the racing industry.
A Jealous Woman won the $70,000 Swingtime Stakes by 2 1/2 lengths under Brice Blanc.
She ran a mile on the turf in 1:33.64 and paid $14.20, $7 and
$4.20 for her fourth win in seven starts on Santa Anita's downhill turf
course. Lady Ten, trained by Baffert, finished second.