American Prize just gets up

GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas - American Prize caught stablemate Valid Lilly on the wire for a head win in the $70,000 Silver Spur Breeders' Cup for 2-year-old fillies at Lone Star Park on Saturday. Both horses are trained by Steve Asmussen.

American Prize ($10.80) stalked the pace in fourth, as eventual third-place finisher Dill or No Dill led the field through an opening quarter in 21.59 seconds, and a half-mile in 44.61. In the stretch, American Prize closed well up the rail, angled out late, and got up for the win over Valid Lilly. American Prize covered the six furlongs in 1:11.29. Richard Eramia rode the winner, who races for Vinery Stables.

American Prize came into the Silver Spur off a runner-up finish in the $50,000 Princess at Louisiana Downs on July 14. She is a candidate for the $100,000 La Senorita, a two-turn turf stakes for fillies this fall at Retama Park, according to Asmussen. He said Valid Lilly, who races for Heiligbrodt Racing Stable, is being pointed for the Texas Stallion Stakes, a main track sprint that is also at Retama.

Dill or No Dill held third in the Silver Spur, finishing a length behind Valid Lilly.