Gloryzapper gets two-turn test
ARCADIA, Calif. – Consecutive wins in sprints at Del Mar have made Gloryzapper a potential stakes filly in trainer Phil D’Amato’s stable. What is unclear is whether she will remain in sprints for such races or can carry her ability around two turns.
The path Gloryzapper will take this winter is likely to be better known after she starts in a second-level optional $62,500 claimer at 1 1/16 miles on dirt at Santa Anita on Friday. The route for fillies and mares is the second race on an eight-race program that is part of the final week of the track’s autumn meeting. Del Mar opens its autumn meeting Oct. 29.
Gloryzapper drew the rail in a field of five and will be tested. Her main rival is Never Ends, the winner of a first-level optional $40,000 claimer at 1 1/8 miles by 9 1/4 lengths here Oct. 9. The stakes-placed runners Melanistic and Tiz Kissable are part of the field, along with the summertime turf winner Bottle Blonde.
Melanistic finished first in an optional claimer at Del Mar on Sept. 4 but was disqualified and placed second for causing interference in the stretch.
Race 2
KEY CONTENDERS
Gloryzapper (Last 2 Beyers: 83-81)
◗ Owned by the partnership of A.C. Hebert, Peter Peluso, and Richard Leggio, Gloryzapper beat maidens at six furlongs July 16 and won an optional claimer at seven furlongs Aug. 23. Joe Talamo was aboard for those wins but misses Friday’s program while serving a suspension for causing interference in a race Aug. 12. James Graham rides Gloryzapper on Friday.
◗ D’Amato said Wednesday that Gloryzapper has trained in a more relaxed fashion in recent weeks while exercising without blinkers. She will race without blinkers after D’Amato gained permission from track stewards to remove them. Trainers must seek permission from stewards to add or remove blinkers if a horse won her preceding race.
“In her last race, she was rank and wanted to run off with Joe,” D’Amato said. “We’ve taken the blinkers off, and she’s showed a new dimension. She’s been in hand for the rider. We’re kind of experimenting with her. She’s push-button and acts like she can run all day in the mornings. If she can do it the right way, we’ll look at stakes next time.”
Never Ends (Last 3 Beyers: 92-76-83)
◗ Never Ends, by Successful Appeal, was third behind Melanistic in the Sept. 4 race and ran by far the best race of her career with an easy win Oct. 9.
“It’s a little quick back for her, but she’s doing well,” trainer Jerry Hollendorfer said. “She really got a hold of the track last time. We were pleased with that. It was unexpected because of the way she’s bred. A lot of people think the Successful Appeals can’t run that far, but apparently, they can.”