Prime Attraction picks up first stakes victory in Native Diver
After trying both dirt and turf to pick up a stakes win, Prime Attraction broke through Saturday in the Grade 3, $100,000 Native Diver Stakes going 1 1/8 miles over the Del Mar dirt.
The 4-year-old son of Unbridled’s Song made his last three starts on the turf, finishing second by a nose last out in the Grade 2 John Henry Turf Championship Stakes. His last attempt at dirt resulted in a seventh-place run in the Grade 1 Gold Cup at Santa Anita. Trainer James Cassidy originally entered Prime Attraction in Friday’s Grade 2 Hollywood Turf Cup, but scratched to run in the Native Diver instead.
With Victor Espinoza in the irons, the surface switch proved successful.
“The key with him is to not take a hold of him early," Espinoza said. "If you take a hold, he gets all cranked up and wants to go. But if you let him settle, get into a rhythm, then he’s fine.
“He’s strong; a really strong horse. And if you have to fight him, you’re in trouble. But it worked out perfectly for me today. The speed was inside me so I could just let him go along there early. And when you can do that, he finishes strong. Just like he did today.”
Prime Attraction was able to set off the pace of Curlin Rules, with the threat of Bob Baffert’s two horses – Irish Freedom and Mubtaahij – looming behind. Turning for home, Curlin Rules ran out of gas and Prime Attraction took over. Irish Freedom and Mubtaahij tried to run at the new leader, but had to settle for second and third respectively. Prime Attraction went on to a 2 1/2-length win and stopped the clock in 1:49.87.
“Sometimes no matter what you do it works out,” Cassidy said. “Victor knows how to ride him. You can’t grab this colt early, you’ve just got to hope that nobody sends, sends and goes with him early because he’ll go as fast as he can and then he’ll tire himself out. He got to go at it nice and easy and he didn’t tire himself out today.”
At 7-1, the win was with $16.00. Following the Baffert pair was Top of the Game, Wild About Deb, Curlin Rules and Irish Surf.
In addition to earning his own first stakes victory, Prime Attraction gave Cassidy his first stakes win during Del Mar’s fall meet, who now has 17 stakes wins at the track.
The Native Diver was the fourth win in 12 starts for Prime Attraction, who was a $335,000 yearling purchase for owner D P Racing. His most recent win has brought his earnings to $235,545.
By Christine Oser