Spiced Perfection, Just Grazed Me rematch possible in La Brea Stakes

CYPRESS, Calif. – Spiced Perfection and Just Grazed Me were first and second in the Betty Grable Stakes for California-bred fillies and mares at Del Mar on Nov. 11. They might meet again in a more difficult setting – the Grade 1 La Brea Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at Santa Anita on Dec. 26.

Spiced Perfection won the Betty Grable Stakes by 2 1/4 lengths over Just Grazed Me, who returned to win an optional claimer at six furlongs by four lengths at Los Alamitos last Friday under jockey Tyler Baze.

“She did that as easy as she had in any race prior,” D’Amato said. “It was like Tyler said, it was a paid workout. I’m very happy with the performance.”

Trainer Phil D’Amato said he is considering running Just Grazed Me in the $300,000 La Brea Stakes at seven furlongs and the $150,000 California Cup Sprint against statebred males at six furlongs on Jan. 26.

“We’ll monitor how she is and come up with a game plan,” he said.

Just Grazed Me has won 3 of 6 starts, all for owner and breeder Nick Alexander, including the Fleet Treat Stakes for Cal-bred 3-year-old fillies at Del Mar in July.

Spiced Perfection, trained by Brian Koriner, worked five furlongs in 1:01.40 at Santa Anita on Saturday. Koriner termed her “possible” for the La Brea.