Obviously Holds On in Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint

Anthony Fanticola and Joseph Scardino’s Obviously ($9.60) became the first favorite to win at the 33rd Breeders’ Cup World Championships, taking the lead shortly out of the gate and then holding off Om by a nose to win the ninth running of the $1 million Turf Sprint (G1) for 3-year-olds and up on Saturday afternoon at Santa Anita Park.

Trained by Phil D’Amato and ridden by Flavien Prat, Obviously covered the 6 ½ furlongs on a firm turf course in 1:11.33. It was the first Breeders’ Cup victory for D’Amato and Prat.

For the 8-year-old Irish-bred Obviously, who was making his fifth Breeders’ Cup start, it was his first taste of success after finishing third, fifth twice and ninth in the past four runnings of the Breeders’ Cup Mile after setting the pace in all four races.

Winning Jockey Flavien Prat (Obviously) – “I got a good trip. He didn't break well like he does every time but when I sent him and he got the lead he got comfortable. I asked him before the dirt and he went on. He got a little tired but the wire was there.”

Winning Trainer Phil D’Amato (Obviously) – “This is tremendous. A (first Breeders' Cup) win for me and for my old boss Mike Mitchell, who had the horse before me.”

Second-place jockey Gary Stevens (Om) – “He got wiped out leaving the gate, which he did to himself, and it was a tough beat. He broke completely sideways from the gate and he had to overcome a lot. Almost got it done.”

Second-place trainer Dan Hendricks (Om) – “He missed the break slightly and had to make up a lot of ground on a really good horse. We can't be prouder.”

Third-place trainer Christophe Clement (Pure Sensation) – “I’m happy with our race except for the final result. He got a perfect ride and ran his race. We were unfortunately third best today.”

Source: Santa Anita Park