Obviously shows talent in winning American Handicap

Obviously is one of the top milers in American horse racing, and the 5-year-old gelding showed off his talent on Saturday at Betfair Hollywood Park, winning the $150,000 American Handicap at a mile on the turf course.

Under jockey Joe Talamo, Obviously finished 2 1/2 lengths ahead of Lucayan in a field of six. Trainer Mike Mitchell earned his 898th career victory at the soon-to-be-closed Hollywood Park.

The winning time was 1:32.95, not far off from the course record of 1:32.59 set in 2009 by Monterey Jazz.

Obviously finished third in last year’s Breeders’ Cup Mile to Horse of the Year Wise Dan and 2011 Kentucky Derby winner Animal Kingdom. The American Handicap was his second start of 2013 and Mitchell will be pointing him to a possible rematch with Wise Dan this fall in the Breeders’ Cup at Santa Anita.

“He just did it so easy,” Talamo said of the victory. “Besides California Flag sprinting, I’ve never ridden a horse like this going long. He just lopes along like that. He’s a jockey’s dream. You just sit on him and he does the rest. He’s just a tremendous horse.”

Talamo has won the last four stakes races at Hollywood Park over the last two weekends.

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