Turf Entrants Get Work Over Santa Anita Lawn
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Ten Breeders' Cup runners slated for the turf events, led by Obviously, worked on the grass at Santa Anita Park Oct. 26.
Obviously has been cross-entered in the Breeders' Cup Mile and Geico Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint (both gr. IT). He toured six furlongs in 1:12, the best of four at the distance. Mike Mitchell trains the 5-year-old son of Choisir—Leala, by Montjeu, for owners Anthony Fanticola and Joseph Scardino.
Mitchell has not yet announced which race he and the owners will choose for Obviously, who has first preference in the Mile. The sleek bay gelding finished third to ultimate Horse of the Year Wise Dan and Animal Kingdom in last year's Mile.
Obviously ran second at the Turf Sprint distance of about 6 1/2 furlongs down the hill in the San Simeon Stakes (gr. IIIT) in his first race of the year before reeling off mile front-running wins in the American Handicap (gr. IIT), Shoemaker Mile (gr. IT), and Del Mar Mile Handicap (gr. IIT). Obviously most recently ran fourth in the City of Hope Mile (gr. IIT) at Santa Anita after weakening in the final furlong.
No Jet Lag, who won the City of Hope by half a length in a 13-1 upset, and Bright Thought, both pre-entered in the Mile, worked five furlongs in :58 4/5 and seven furlongs in 1:27 4/5, respectively.
Simon Callaghan trains No Jet Lag for owner Anthony Ramsden. The gelding is 2-for-2 in the United States since transferring this summer from Great Britain, where the 3-year-old son of Johar was an allowance winner in 2012.
Bright Thought set a world record for 12 furlongs of 2:22.72 (since broken) in winning the San Luis Rey Stakes (gr. IIT) in March but was sidelined with an injury after that and will be making his first start back. Trained by Jorge Gutierrez for Dye and Venneri Racing, the 4-year-old Hat Trick colt is on a four-race win streak.
Others working Saturday were Spring to the Sky and Chips All In, both slated for the Turf Sprint, who went four furlongs in :45 1/5 and :48 2/5, respectively. Spring to the Sky's clocking was the best of five at the distance.
Jeff Mullins, who trains Chips All In, said the work was "all he needed." Chips All In is coming off a victory in the Eddie D. Stakes (gr. IIIT) Sept. 27 at the Turf Sprint distance.
"He had his strong work last week," said Mullins. "This just allowed him to open his lungs and stretch his legs."
Elsewhere, trainer John Sadler sent his two turf horses owned by Hronis Racing out as well. Lady of Shamrock is pointing for the Filly & Mare Turf (gr. IT) and went seven furlongs in 1:27 2/5. Turf (gr. IT) pre-entrant Vagabond Shoes, who earned an automatic starting berth with his victory in the Del Mar Handicap (gr. IIT) Aug. 24, went a mile in 1:40.
Three 2-year-olds tuned up on the turf for their respective races. Bashart and Ontology prepped for the Juvenile Turf (gr. IT) with four furlongs each in :47 3/5 and :48 3/5, respectively. Juvenile Fillies Turf (gr. IT) candidate Nesso clocked five furlongs in 1:03 2/5.