Obviously Sharp for 2014 Debut
When Obviously makes his first start in Saturday’s Grade III, $100,000 American Stakes since finishing fifth in the Breeders’ Cup Mile at Santa Anita last Nov. 2, he will do so in the name of a new trainer: Phil D’Amato, formerly Mike Mitchell’s assistant.
The
two recently switched assignments, but Mitchell knows the horse as well
as, if not better, than anyone. “He’s doing great,” Mitchell said of
the 6-year-old Irish-bred gelding, who has posted eight straight bullet
workouts, fastest of the day at the distance. “Joe (Talamo) has worked
him every time. It should be a good horse race.”
Talamo, Santa Anita’s Spring Meet riding leader through 11 days with 13 wins, pilots Obviously for the 13th straight time in the American.
Neil
Drysdale said Friday morning that Kilroe Mile winner Winning Prize, the
8-5 morning line favorite in the American, likely would scratch. “I
don’t think I’m running,” the Hall of Fame trainer said, adding he would
“wait for the Shoemaker,” referring to the Grade I, $400,000 Shoemaker
Mile on turf June 14.
The field for the American, race four of 11: Winning Prize, Corey Nakatani, 8-5; Obviously, Joe Talamo, 9-5; Pure Tactics, Kent Desormeaux, 15-1; Silentio, Gary Stevens, 3-1; Chips All In, Tyler Baze, 6-1; Smart Ellis, Martin Garcia, 15-1; and Tigah, Mike Smith, 8-1.