Calder: Exclusively Maria hangs on in Cassidy

MIAMI - Exclusively Maria completed a memorable day for trainer Bisnath Parboo, leading throughout to register a neck decision over the late-running maiden Another Romance in Saturday's $96,150 Cassidy Stakes. Parboo had won the Grade 1 Vosburgh with Giant Ryan earlier in the afternoon at Belmont Park.

Exclusively Maria had to survive both a stewards' inquiry and jockey objection before being declared the winner of the six-furlong Cassidy. Jockey Jose Alvarez aboard Exclusively Maria appeared to intimidate the 6-5 favorite Live Every Day briefly with his stick in early stretch, then drifted out to bump that rival a couple of times inside the sixteenth pole. Another Romance slipped along the rail and was gaining gradually at the end. Live Every Day, an easy winner of her only previous start two weeks earlier, finished another neck further back in third.

A second objection lodged by jockey Jose Rios on Montessa G. against Live Every Day was also disallowed. Montessa G. took up sharply behind Live Every Day shortly after the start of the Cassidy.

Exclusively Maria, claimed for $25,000 out of her second career start, is owned by Sherry Parbhoo. She completed six furlongs in 1:12.80 seconds and paid $14.40.

"This filly likes to be in front so when she broke a little slower than usual, I had to send her up in there to get the lead," said Alvarez. "Once she was in front, she got very strong. She likes to run that way. She was leaning out a little bit in the stretch, and when she changed to her right lead, she came out a little more. I did my best to keep her straight."