Grammarian Sharpens Speed for Turf Cup

Lindsey Williams, owner of Pacific Heritage Farm, watched Grammarian blow out three furlongs in :36.20 on the turf course here Thursday in preparation for the $250,000 Hollywood Turf Cup (gr. IT) on Saturday.

The last time the 4-year-old gelding raced at Hollywood Park, he won the Sunset Handicap (gr. IIT) July 21 at the Turf Cup distance of 12 furlongs as a 29-to-1 outsider. The win left Williams with sugarplums dancing in his head, visions of a visit to his native Australia for the Melbourne Cup.

"We got invited to the Sword Dancer (gr. IT) at Saratoga (Aug. 10, when he faded to eighth), and decided it was a big ask to go to Melbourne and go two miles," explained Williams of the change of plans. "Maybe we will give it a crack next year."

Farm manager Scott Brumley replaced Kellyn Gorder as trainer after the latter assumed a post with WinStar Farms. Grammarian responded with a 5 ½-length victory in an allowance race in his last start Nov. 3 at Churchill Downs.

Williams said Grammarian would be turned over to Beau Greely after the race Saturday.

In other developments on the Hollywood Park backstretch Thursday:

Century City worked five furlongs on turf in 1:00.40 for Beau Greely for the $500,000 Hollywood Derby Dec. 1.

Citation Handicap candidates Touch of the Blues and White Heart worked a mile on turf in 1:40.60 and 1:41.40, respectively, for trainer Neil Drysdale.

Medaglia d'Oro and Milwaukee Brew, two-three finishers respectively in the Breeders' Cup Classic, each worked a half mile on the main track for trainer Bobby Frankel. Medaglia d'Oro was timed in :49.00 and Milwaukee Brew :48.20.

Kayoke, a recent European import, drilled six furlongs in 1:14.60 on turf for trainer Julio Canani.

Man Among Men, winner of the Pinjara Stakes, worked six furlongs breezing in 1:15 on the main track for Gary Mandella for the $200,000 Generous Stakes Nov. 30.

Miesque Stakes candidates Heart of a Champion and Mac Melody each worked five furlongs at Santa Anita for trainer Bob Hess, Jr.