Strong rally propels Just Grazed Me to victory in California Distaff Handicap

ARCADIA, Calif. – Just Grazed Me may not be the second-string female turf sprinter too much longer for owner and breeder Nick Alexander and trainer Phil D’Amato.

Saturday at Santa Anita, Just Grazed Me won her third race in her last four starts in the $100,351 California Distaff Handicap for statebred fillies and mares at 5 1/2 furlongs on turf.

S Y Sky, the 6-5 favorite for Alexander and D’Amato, set the pace, but could not sustain her advantage. S Y Sky faded to finish fourth behind Just Grazed Me ($7.40), 2-1 Don’t Sell, and 8-1 Gypsy Blu in the field of six.

Jockey Geovanni Franco rode Just Grazed Me, the third consecutive race he has been aboard the 4-year-old filly. Franco had Just Grazed Me in a stalking position behind S Y Sky early, and was fourth on the turn after Don’t Sell and Gypsy Blu moved closer to the leader. Don’t Sell challenged S Y Sky for the lead on the turn, but could not reach the front.

Franco said he was content to wait for the stretch with Just Grazed Me.

“We were 1-2,” Franco said of S Y Sky and Just Grazed Me’s early position.

“I thought I had a beautiful trip. Another horse put pressure on the pace. I didn’t think it was a good move to go with them.”

Racing wide through the stretch, Just Grazed Me closed steadily to take a commanding lead in the final strides. She ran 5 1/2 furlongs in 1:01.82. She earned a career-best Beyer Speed Figure of 92.

Just Grazed Me finished 1 3/4 lengths in front of Don’t Sell, who was a neck in front of Gypsy Blu. S Y Sky was beaten 2 1/4 lengths as the 126-pound topweight. Just Grazed Me carried 122 pounds.

Queen Bee to You finished fifth, followed by Silk From Heaven in the small field.

Just Grazed Me has won 5 of 9 starts and earned $334,332. She had an outstanding 3-year-old season in 2018, winning the Fleet Treat Stakes for statebred 3-year-old fillies and finishing second in the Grade 3 Torrey Pines Stakes at the Del Mar summer meeting.

Just Grazed Me did not start from December 2018 until the Del Mar summer meeting because of an ankle injury. She was third in her first start this year, the Daisycutter Handicap at five furlongs on turf for fillies and mares in July before winning an allowance race with a $62,500 claiming option at five furlongs on turf there on Aug. 14.