Just Grazed Me ends layoff with California Distaff victory

ARCADIA, Calif. - Just Grazed Me, carrying topweight of 126 pounds, won the $100,000 California Distaff Handicap for the second consecutive year at Santa Anita on Saturday in her first start since late May.

Ridden by Umberto Rispoli, Just Grazed Me ($3) stalked pacesetter Gypsy Blu to the final furlong before taking the lead and holding off the steady rally of 5-1 Nardini, who was beaten three-quarters of a length.

Just Grazed Me ran 5 1/2 furlongs in 1:02.99 and earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 83.

“She does enough to win the race,” Rispoli said.

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“She’s a better horse. She gave away 10 pounds and she was coming back from a long break.”

Trained by Phil D’Amato for owner and breeder Nick Alexander, Just Grazed Me has won 7 of 14 starts and has earned $494,322.

Only five California-bred fillies and mares started in the California Distaff.

Gypsy Blu (6-1) set an early pace of 22.67 seconds for the opening quarter-mile and 45.61 for a half-mile, closely followed by stablemates Althea Gibson, who carried 115 pounds, and Just Grazed Me. With a furlong remaining, Just Grazed Me led by a head.

Gypsy Blu, who carried 118 pounds, held second, finishing a nose in front of Nardini, who carried 117 pounds. Althea Gibson and Smiling Shirlee completed the order of finish.

Just Grazed Me won her first stakes in the 2019 California Distaff and followed with a win in the Grade 3 Sen. Ken Maddy Handicap last November.

Saturday’s race was Just Grazed Me’s first win in four starts this year. A 5-year-old mare by Grazen, Just Grazed Me was fifth in the Grade 2 Monrovia Stakes at 5 1/2 furlongs here in May before she was given a rest through the summer at Alexander’s farm in Santa Ynez, Calif.