Autumn Miss-bound Gracelund Gray will be trained by Eurton

ARCADIA, Calif. – Gracelund Gray, who won two races by a combined 37 1/4 lengths in Canada in 2021, will have a new trainer in Peter Eurton when she starts in Saturday’s Grade 3 Autumn Miss Stakes at Santa Anita.

But in the days leading to the $100,000 turf race, the filly’s surroundings will not change.

Gracelund Gray was previously trained by Howard Zucker, who died last week after complications of a recent operation. Eurton became the filly’s official trainer after discussions with owners John and Kelley Gravenslund.

Eurton said over the weekend he does not want to disrupt Gracelund Gray’s environment so close to the race and is leaving her with Zucker’s staff for race week.

“I’ll leave her over there until after the race,” he said.

Gracelund Gray was Zucker’s final winner, in an allowance race at Del Mar in July. The filly was later last of 13 in the Grade 1 Del Mar Oaks on Aug. 20 in her turf stakes debut.

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The Autumn Miss Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at a mile will be an easier race. Gracelund Gray worked five furlongs in 1:01.60 on dirt at Santa Anita on Saturday.

“She’s a talented filly,” Eurton said. “She eased around there in her breeze.

“I’m learning more about her as a racehorse and I’ll learn more about her as an individual when I get her over here.”

There are seven stakes on Saturday’s program and Eurton is planning to have two runners in the Grade 2 Twilight Derby for 3-year-olds at 1 1/8 miles on turf with Seven Wonders and Stayincotai.

The $200,000 Twilight Derby will be the stakes debut for Seven Wonders, who won a maiden special weight race at 1 1/16 miles on turf at Del Mar in his second start on Aug. 13, but was fifth of 10 in an allowance race there at the same distance on Sept. 5 after a troubled trip.

“Seven Wonders had a rough trip against winners,” Eurton said.

The Irish-bred Stayincotai won his American debut at 18-1 in an allowance race at Del Mar on July 18, but was fifth of six in the Grade 3 La Jolla Handicap at 1 1/16 miles on turf on Aug. 7 in his stakes debut.

“Stayincotai ran well first time, and I ran him back in two weeks and he got a little rank,” Eurton said. “I think the mile and an eighth will be perfect for him.”

The field is expected to include the turf stakes winners Cabo Spirit, who won the La Jolla, and War At Sea, who won the Cinema Stakes at Santa Anita in June and was third in the Grade 2 Del Mar Derby on Sept. 3.

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