Spiced Perfection goes back to drawing board

DEL MAR, Calif. – Two-time stakes winner Spiced Perfection finished a quiet fourth as the favorite in the Fleet Treat Stakes for California-bred 3-year-old fillies on July 29. The loss was a surprise for owner Dare to Dream Stable and trainer Brian Koriner and has led to relaunch of Spiced Perfection’s campaign Friday.

Spiced Perfection runs in an allowance race with a $40,000 claiming option at six furlongs against open company in Friday’s sixth race.

“There is nowhere else to go,” Koriner said.

The optional claimer will be the first start in open company for Spiced Perfection since a seventh-place finish in an optional claimer on the hillside turf course at Santa Anita in January, her only start on turf.

Since then, Spiced Perfection has won the Evening Jewel Stakes at 6 1/2 furlongs in April, finished second in the Melair Stakes at 1 1/16 miles in June, and finished 11 lengths behind Just Grazed Me in the Fleet Treat Stakes.

Joe Talamo was aboard for those races and has the mount Friday.

“We were disappointed in it,” Koriner said of the Fleet Treat. “He took her too far back, and she never relaxed.”

Koriner was encouraged by Spiced Perfection’s half-mile workout in 47 seconds on Aug. 16, the fastest of 68 works at the distance. Spiced Perfection will be fitted with blinkers for the first time in Friday’s race.

Spiced Perfection is part of a field of nine. Vallestina, third in an optional claimer at five furlongs on turf July 22, and Danuska’s My Girl, winner of a $62,500 claimer for maidens at six furlongs on July 29, will attract support.