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Centralinteligence and Obviously each ran their way into this year's Breeders' Cup with stakes victories Saturday at Hollywood Park.
Centralinteligence, ridden by Victor Espinoza, came from off the pace to capture the $250,000 Triple Bend Handicap while Obviously had a front-running victory with jockey Joe Talamo in the $300,000 Shoemaker Mile on Hollywood's turf course.
Centralinteligence, trained by Ron Ellis, earned a berth in the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile and a spot in the Breeders' Cup Mile goes to Obviously, trained by Mike Mitchell.
Owned by a partnership that includes Amerman Racing Stables, Bongo Racing, Gary Finder and Elias Sabo, Centralinteligence rallied through the stretch to win the seven-furlong Triple Bend by 3 1/2 lengths over pacesetter Comma to the Top and record his first stakes victory.
Finishing third in the eight-horse field was Morning Line followed by Drill, Rail Trip, Cyclometer, Camp Victory and Jimmy Creed. Tres Borrachos was scratched.
Centralinteligence covered the seven furlongs on Hollywood's synthetic track in 1:21.57.
The 5-year-old gelding notched his fourth career win in 12 starts and added $150,000 to his bankroll. Centralinteligence has career earnings of $308,921.
In his previous start, he was second to Comma to the Top in the Los Angeles Handicap at Hollywood Park and was sixth in last year's Triple Bend behind Camp Victory.
Centralinteligence returned $19.00, $9.20 and $6.60. Comma To The Top paid $5.80 and $4.40, and Morning Line paid $8.40 to show in his first start of 2013.
Obviously, owned by Anthony Fanticola and Joseph Scardino, led every step of the way to post a 3 1/4-length win over Za Approval. Obviously was the 3-10 favorite in the five-horse field.
"He is the ultimate professional. He knows his job and knows very well what he has to do," jockey Joe Talamo said.
Finishing third was Wilkinson followed by Jeramino and Lucayan.
Obviously covered the mile in 1:32.86 over a firm turf course.
"The main goal is to run back in the Breeders' Cup Mile," winning trainer Mike Mitchell said. "I turned him out last year for no problems at all, just to freshen him. He's razor sharp right now. He's training so well and he looks so good. I think he's better than last year. He's stronger and a little bit more filled out."
The Shoemaker Mile win was worth $180,000 to bring Obviously's career earnings to $848,361. The 6-year-old gelding has won eight of 15 lifetime starts.
Obviously finished third in last year's Breeders' Cup Mile to Horse of the Year Wise Dan.
Obviously paid $2.60, $2.20 and $2.10. Za Approval returned $3.80 and $3.00, and Wilkinson paid $3.80 to show.
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