Just Grazed Me gets stakes test in Fleet Treat

DEL MAR, Calif. – Just Grazed Me blew past her rivals on the turn to win a maiden race for California-bred fillies and mares in her debut at Santa Anita on June 24. The win left owner and breeder Nick Alexander and trainer Phil D’Amato so impressed that they are starting Just Grazed Me in Sunday’s $150,000 Fleet Treat Stakes for 3-year-old statebred fillies at Del Mar.

“I like her a lot,” D’Amato said. “Does she have the seasoning? That’s the question mark.”

Just Grazed Me won by 6 1/4 lengths. She rates among the top contenders for the Fleet Treat Stakes at seven furlongs, even though there are five stakes winners in the field – Kimberlea K, Loving Lynda, One Fast Broad, Show It N Moe It, and Spiced Perfection.

KEY CONTENDERS

Just Grazed Me, by Grazen
Beyer: 76

◗ Just Grazed Me is out of the stakes winner Fairway Road, who earned $119,920. Just Grazed Me won at 6 1/2 furlongs on June 24, taking command of the race in early stretch.

◗ D’Amato said the prize money justifies starting her in the Fleet Treat as opposed to an allowance race.

“You get one shot at 3-year-old Cal-bred fillies for $150,000,” D’Amato said. “There is always a Cal-bred (allowance).”

◗ Just Grazed Me drew post 7 in a field of eight. She will be ridden for the first time by Tyler Baze. Joe Talamo rode Just Grazed Me in the maiden race, but has the mount on Spiced Perfection on Sunday.

Spiced Perfection, by Smiling Tiger
Last 3 Beyers: 74-85-65

◗ Spiced Perfection won the Generous Portion Stakes at six furlongs here last summer and the Evening Jewel Stakes at 6 1/2 furlongs at Santa Anita on April 7. In the Melair Stakes for Cal-bred 3-year-old fillies at 1 1/16 miles on June 3, Spiced Perfection finished second by a half-length to Loving Lynda after racing near the front for much of the race.

◗ Trained by Brian Koriner, Spiced Perfection usually stalks the pace.

Loving Lynda, by Empire Way
Last 3 Beyers: 75-70-65

◗ Loving Lynda, also trained by D’Amato, won a maiden race and a stakes in consecutive starts at Santa Anita in the spring. She won a maiden race at 5 1/2 furlongs there on April 28, and closed from fourth in a field of seven to win the Melair in a career-best performance.

◗ Loving Lynda drew the rail in the Fleet Treat, which is not a concern for D’Amato.

“She comes from out if it, so I don’t think it will affect her,” D’Amato said. “If she was a speed horse, it would be different. She gathers herself and comes with a run.”