Prime Attraction gets first graded win in Native Diver

DEL MAR, Calif. – Friday, Prime Attraction was withdrawn from the Grade 2 Hollywood Turf Cup at 1 1/2 miles at Del Mar in favor of Saturday’s Grade 3 Native Diver Stakes at 1 1/8 miles on dirt.

The decision – made primarily by owner Deron Pearson – put Prime Attraction in the winner’s circle of a graded stakes for the first time.

Ridden by Victor Espinoza, Prime Attraction ($16) benefited from a stalking trip to win the $100,690 Native Diver by 2 1/2 lengths over 3-1 Irish Freedom. Mubtaahij, who won the Grade 1 Awesome Again Stakes at Santa Anita on Sept. 30 and was eighth in the Breeders’ Cup Classic here on Nov. 4, finished third as the 9-5 favorite.

Top of the Game, the 2-1 second choice, was an unlucky fourth, racing in traffic along the rail on the turn under jockey Kent Desormeaux. Top of the Game had a clear run by early stretch, but never threatened Prime Attraction, losing by 6 3/4 lengths.

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Prime Attraction was timed in 1:49.87.

Trainer Jim Cassidy said Pearson’s decision on a race hinged largely on which distance would better suit Prime Attraction, a 4-year-old colt by Unbridled’s Song.

“We had a discussion the other night,” Cassidy said. “The man said, and he was right, we weren’t sure he’d get a mile and a half.

“He’s bred for the dirt and there’s no question about that. He’s worth more today than he was yesterday.”

Prime Attraction was never far from the front, stalking Curlin Rules through early fractions of 23.22 seconds for the opening quarter-mile and 47.55 for a half-mile while racing off the rail. Espinoza guided Prime Attraction to the front with less than three furlongs to go and had a two-length advantage with a furlong remaining.

Espinoza has ridden Prime Attraction three times, including a fourth in the Wickerr Stakes at a mile on turf here in July and a second, by a head, in the Grade 2 John Henry Turf Championship at Santa Anita on Oct. 1.

Cassidy said Prime Attraction can be a tough colt for a jockey to manage.

“Victor knows him now,” he said. “You can’t grab or he’ll take off. He let him do his own thing.”

Prime Attraction has won 4 of 12 starts and earned $235,545.