Speed Grazy needs pace help to get over the hump

DEL MAR, Calif. – Speed Grazy, who starts from the inside post in an allowance race for California-breds at Del Mar on Friday, was recently described by trainer Mark Glatt as a “check-getter.”

A 5-year-old, Speed Grazy has finished second or third in six of eight starts this year, earning a fair $68,640 for Seahawk Racing.

Glatt, who won three races on Sunday, is eager to see Speed Grazy achieve an elusive first win of the year in Friday’s one-mile race.

“He’s a consistent horse,” Glatt said. “Hopefully, it’s time for him to win the condition.”

Speed Grazy has been second in his last two starts, including a half-length loss in an allowance race for California-breds at a mile at Del Mar on July 26. Speed Grazy was always within a length of the lead and was beaten a half-length by Mystic Spirit, the even-money favorite who led throughout.

Speed Grazy is winless in nine starts since a nose victory in a conditional $20,000 claimer at a mile on the synthetic main track at Golden Gate Fields last November, the day he was claimed by Glatt.

Speed Grazy closed from last of eight in that field, benefiting from a solid pace. A quick pace on Friday would help Speedy Grazy’s chances. Antonio Fresu, who was aboard the gelding for his last three races, retains the mount.

“He’s got to have a little pace scenario to set it up for him,” Glatt said.

:: DRF's Del Mar Handicapping Packages: Get everything you need to play the races with confidence.

The allowance race will be the first start since September for Donner Lake, a winner of 2 of 11 starts in a career that began in 2021.

Donner Lake, trained by Michael McCarthy, started only twice in 2023. He finished a well-beaten second in an allowance race for California-breds at Santa Anita in January 2023 and did not race again until he won an allowance race for statebreds on turf in September.

“He needed a little R & R,” McCarthy said, explaining the latest gap between races.

For his comeback, Donner Lake has worked at the nearby San Luis Rey Downs training center.

“He was able to fire fresh off a layoff” last September, McCarthy said. “We’ll see if he can get the same thing done.

“He seems like he’s had a strong string of works. Hopefully, he’ll be able to handle the mile on dirt.”

A race on dirt is a surface switch for Logon to Win and Oubabe.

Logon to Win, won a starter allowance at 6 1/2 furlongs on turf at Santa Anita on June 2 and has since been fourth and seventh in allowance races for California-bred sprinters on turf. He is quick enough to be part of the pace from an outside post.

Oubabe was 10th of 11 after a wide trip in the California Dreamin’ Stakes at 1 1/16 miles on turf for statebreds on Aug. 3, but did win an allowance race for statebreds at 1 1/8 miles on turf at Santa Anita in April while making his first start in nearly nine months.

:: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.