Obey wins CTBA Stakes

Obey became the first San Luis Rey Thoroughbred Center horse to win a stakes race during this summer's Del Mar Thoroughbred Club meet when the two-year-old filly won the California Thoroughbred Breeders' Association Stakes.

Obey had a winning time of 1:04.59 in the 5 1/2-furlong race July 31 and finished three-quarters of a length in front of second-place Later My Love, six lengths ahead of third-place Just Google Me, and 13 3/4 lengths in front of fourth-place Ibelievewewillwin.

"I thought she ran very well," said trainer Sam Scolamieri.

"She showed speed," Scolamieri said. "I didn't realize that she was able to really hold it like she did at Del Mar."

The victory gave Obey two wins in two career starts. She made her racing debut June 25 with a five-furlong race at Santa Anita Park. She led for the entire race and won in 58.14 seconds. Obey crossed the finish line 2 3/4 lengths ahead of second-place Late 'n Left.

Obey had two timed five-furlong workouts at San Luis Rey between her Santa Anita and Del Mar races, completing that distance in 1:05.2 on July 11 and 1:01.0 on July 17.

Tiago Pereira, who rode Obey in her debut, also had the mount in the CTBA Stakes which was for two-year-old fillies bred in California. The conversation prior to the race was not to force Obey to be fast early in the race but not to fight the lead if she took it on her own.

"She ended up getting the lead rather early," Scolamieri said.

Obey broke sixth among the 11 horses but had the lead a quarter of a mile into the race. She led Later My Love, who spent the entire race in second place, by half a length at that point. The first quarter-mile took Obey 21.74 seconds. "That was pretty rapid," Scolamieri said.

"I was kind of concerned," Scolamieri said. "I didn't know if she was going to be able to hold on."

After three furlongs Obey led Later My Love by a head, but Later My Love had a full-length lead over third-place My Palmilla.

"She and the second horse were so close," Scolamieri said. "Other than the second horse the rest of them were way back."

Obey took 45.69 seconds for her first half-mile and entered the stretch 57.98 seconds after the start of the race with a half-length lead over Later My Love, who at that point led third-place Ibelievewewillwin by six lengths.

"She fought off the other horse and she ended up holding on and winning," Scolamieri said.

"It was a great effort," Scolamieri said. "I was real pleased with the fact that she just hung in there."

Scolamieri wondered if what seemed like a slow track would hinder Obey near the end of the race, but that was not the case. "It turned out great," he said.

The competition with Later My Love didn't seem to fatigue Obey. "She came out of the race really well," Scolamieri said.

"They stayed together the whole race," Scolamieri said. "Other than that there wasn't anybody pushing her."

Obey earned the $57,000 first-place share of the total $100,000 purse to bring her total earnings for her two races to $90,600.

The victory was Scolamieri's first-ever stakes win at Del Mar. "I don't run that much there," he said.

"I was really grateful and happy that I have a horse able to run a stakes there. Usually I don't have those kind of horses," Scolamieri said. "I've been pretty fortunate to have this one."

Obey is owned by Ted Serna and was bred by Woodbridge Farm and Glen Road Racing Stable. She was foaled in California on Feb. 2, 2013, out of Spring Vacation and sired by Desert Code.

It didn't occur to Scolamieri that he became the first San Luis Rey trainer to win a stakes race during the meet. "I just think about the horse winning the race and more importantly if she came back after the race good," he said.

"I'm looking at the future more than the moment," Scolamieri said. "You have to be aware of the moment, but I also try to do the right thing."

That means focusing on Obey's career instead of a heavier race schedule. "I don't want to overrun her," Scolamieri said.

Obey's next race will be the Aug. 28 Generous Portion Stakes at Del Mar, a six-furlong race for two-year-old fillies bred in California. "We're looking forward to this next race," Scolamieri said.

"I think it would be real nice for the owner and the breeders if this horse can win a third race," Scolamieri said. "If she can win another race at Del Mar that would be great for them."