Prime Attraction, Infobedad scratch from Hollywood Turf Cup

DEL MAR, Calif. – The complexion of the Grade 2, $200,000 Hollywood Turf Cup on Friday at Del Mar changed markedly Thursday when both Prime Attraction and Infobedad were scratched, and the filly Lottie officially became part of the field when she was withdrawn from Thursday’s Red Carpet.

All those moves resulted in a field of seven for the 1 1/2-mile Hollywood Turf Cup.

The scratch of Prime Attraction was particularly curious. He looked like one of the main players in the race, as his recent form in long-distance grass racing has been vastly superior to what he has displayed on dirt. Yet he was withdrawn to run Saturday in the Native Diver, which is on dirt at 1 1/8 miles and worth half the money, just $100,000. It seemingly defies logic.

According to Jim Cassidy, who trains Prime Attraction – a son of Unbridled’s Song - for Deron Pearson’s D P Racing, Pearson preferred the Native Diver.

“We had a discussion and he thought a mile and a half might be too far, and the fact he’s bred for dirt,” Cassidy said. “So…”

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Prime Attraction has yet to win a stakes, but just missed in his most recent start when tagged on the line by Itsinthepost in the Grade 2 John Henry at Santa Anita on Oct. 1. That was his third straight improved effort since returning to turf, the surface over which he won a second-level allowance earlier this year.

His form is clearly superior on turf, as he didn’t even beat a horse in two tries against graded company on dirt earlier this year. But what also made a difference were the distances at which he competed in recent starts. Just prior to the John Henry, he was a close fourth in a field of 13 going 1 3/8 miles in the Grade 2 Del Mar Handicap.

Cassidy and Pearson still have Prince of Arabia in the race. He likely will be the race’s longest shot.

Favoritism now is likely to go to Chicago Style, who finished fifth in the John Henry – three lengths behind Prime Attraction – but who won twice on this course during the summer meet going 1 3/8 miles. He likely was hampered by cutting back to 1 1/4 miles in the John Henry. He should be much more effective going out to 1 1/2 miles.

Flamboyant was being considered for the Grade 2 Seabiscuit at 1 1/16 miles Sunday, but as of Thursday he was still in the Turf Cup, and considering Thursday’s developments this looks like a far more appealing spot.

Inordinate, fourth in the John Henry and fifth in the Del Mar Handicap, makes his first start since moving to Jack Carava’s barn. He won the G3 San Juan Capistrano at about 1 3/4 miles in April.

Manitoulin ships west for Jimmy Toner following a wide trip from the far outside post in the Grade 3 Sycamore at Keeneland.

Tequila Joe, who owns two wins and a second in three starts on Del Mar’s turf, tries beyond 1 1/16 miles for the first time this year.

The Turf Cup goes as race 7 on an eight-race card that begins at 12:30 p.m. Pacific.