Top California-based turf milers Obviously (Ire) (Choisir {Aus}) and Om (Munnings) square off as they prepare for the GI Breeders' Cup Mile in Santa Anita's GII City of Hope Mile S. Saturday. The former, who possesses a run-them-off-their-feet style, kicked off his season with a neck second in this venue's nine-panel GII San Gabriel S. Jan. 2. He was beaten the same margin by Bolo (Temple City) in the course-and-distance GII Arcadia S. Feb. 13. Om was another 2 3/4 lengths back in third. The 8-year-old was last seen shipping cross country to easily annex Belmont's June 18 GIII Poker S., good for a career-best Beyer of 108. Obviously will be joined in the gate by fellow Phil D'Amato trainee Vyjack (Into Mischief), who is prepping for the GI Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile. The bay was most recently second to Masochistic (Sought After) in Del Mar's seven-furlong GII Pat O'Brien S. Aug. 27. Om bested fellow sophomores in the late-season GII Mathis Brothers Mile here Dec. 26 before his third-place run in the Arcadia. Last after a rough trip in the GI Frank E. Kilroe Mile S. Mar. 12, he finished a half-length second to D'Amato trainee Midnight Storm (Pioneerof the Nile) in the Aug. 21 GII Del Mar Mile H.
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