Just Grazed Me gets another turf try in allowance

DEL MAR, Calif. – Lost amidst the controversy of the $99,164 Daisycutter Handicap at Del Mar on July 20 was a fine third-place finish by the stakes winner Just Grazed Me.

In her first start since December, Just Grazed Me closed from fifth on the turn to finish 1 1/4 lengths behind winner Painting Corners.

Just Grazed Me returns to action in an allowance race with a $62,500 claiming option at five furlongs on turf in Wednesday’s sixth race. Owned by Nick Alexander and trained by Phil D’Amato, Just Grazed Me has won 3 of 7 starts and will have her second start on turf on Wednesday.

“I like her the most on the grass,” D’Amato said.

Just Grazed Me, who will be ridden by Geovanni Franco, is part of a field of eight that includes the Argentine import Querida Dubai, and the stakes winners Gypsy Blu, Sold It, and Travieza. Sold It and Kentan Road are on the also-eligible list. The temporary turf rails will be set 30 feet out from the permanent position.

KEY CONTENDERS

Just Grazed Me, by Grazen
Last 3 Beyers: 86-83-86

◗ Since the Daisycutter, Just Grazed Me has worked twice on turf, including a half-mile in 47.60 seconds last Thursday.

“Her turf works have been good,” D’Amato said. “I know she’s 100 percent going into this race.”

◗ Just Grazed Me has won on the lead and coming from behind.

“I think she was 90 percent that day and in need of a race,” D’Amato said of the Daisycutter. “I think she’s ultra-versatile. She can be up close and come from off of it. She has plenty of gas.”

◗ Just Grazed Me won the Fleet Treat Stakes for 3-year-old California-bred fillies at seven furlongs on dirt in July 2018. She later finished second in the Grade 3 Torrey Pines and the Betty Grable Stakes for statebreds, and was sidelined last winter with an ankle injury.

Querida Dubai, by E Dubai
Last 3 Beyers: N/A

◗ Querida Dubai won consecutive stakes at about seven furlongs on turf and a Group 2 at a mile on dirt in Argentina last fall.

◗ Owned by Samantha Siegel and trained by Brian Koriner, Querida Dubai will break from the rail in the shortest race of her career.

◗ Querida Dubai has won 4 of 6 starts and will gain from the experience off Saturday’s race, Koriner said.

“She’s working really well,” Koriner said. “It took her a while to get into sync.

“I don’t know if drawing the rail going five-eighths is what she wants to do.”

Travieza, by Into Mischief
Last 3 Beyers: 81-73-77

◗ Unraced since February, this filly won a stakes at Santa Anita on the hillside turf course last October and ran well here in 2018 at five furlongs on turf.

Gypsy Blu, by Papa Clem
Last 3 Beyers: 70-87-79

◗ She was second in an optional claimer at Santa Anita in June and eighth after a wide trip in the Daisycutter. She has a new rider in Abel Cedillo.