Irish-bred star Obviously secured a clear victory in the G1 Shoemaker Mile last year when it was contested at Hollywood Park and made it a double in its first running at Santa Anita on Saturday.
The front-running son of Australian sire Choisir enjoyed a clear lead throughout, running the mile in 1:32.66 on firm turf.
Obviously has won both his starts this season, opening with a 5.5 lengths score in the G3 American Stakes on the turf at Santa Anita on May 17.
The Shoemaker wasn’t just as easy as the swift Obviously was not threatened in scoring by 1.5 lengths over Summer Front.
With the Shoemaker victory, Obviously now boasts seven graded stakes wins, all in California, in his career.
He has won 11 of 20 career starts and has earned $1,337,361.
Summer Front rallied from fifth to finish second, a half length ahead of Tom's Tribute and Silentio, who dead-heated for third.
Summer Front won this year's G2 Fort Lauderdale Stakes at Gulfstream Park and entered off a runner-up finish in the G3 Fort Marcy Stakes at Belmont Park.
The Shoemaker Mile was conducted at Hollywood Park as the Premiere Handicap from 1938 to 1989. It was named in honour of champion jockey Willie Shoemaker following his retirement in 1990.
