Prime Attraction looks sharp for Hollywood Turf Cup

DEL MAR, Calif. – Perhaps it was maturation, moving to the turf, getting to run longer distances, or some combination thereof, but the recent form of Prime Attraction since moving to turf and running 10 furlongs and beyond has produced his best career efforts as he nears the end of his 4-year-old season, and he’ll look to cap the year with a victory on Friday at Del Mar in the Grade 2, $200,000 Hollywood Turf Cup going 1 1/2 miles.

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 has made a difference are the distances at which he has 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.

“He’s improved,” said Jim Cassidy, who trains Prime Attraction for Deron Pearson’s D P Racing. “The distance has helped, no question. It’s helped him and eliminated others.”

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Victor Espinoza rides Prime Attraction. He has been on him twice in his last three starts, in the John Henry and when fourth going a mile at Del Mar in the Wickerr.

“He’s not an easy horse to ride,” Cassidy said. “He wants to eat the pony. He wants to eat the guy in the gate, and if the rider grabs him, he’s gone.”

Cassidy and Pearson also entered Prince of Arabia, who will be one of the longshots in the field.

Nine entered the Turf Cup, but there could be some tweaks to the final lineup. The filly Lottie is entered, but she could instead go in the Red Carpet on Thursday. Flamboyant is also being considered for the Grade 2 Seabiscuit at 1 1/16 miles on Sunday.

Prime Attraction’s biggest obstacle is likely to be 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.

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 Grade 3 San Juan Capistrano at about 1 3/4 miles in April.

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

Infobedad, second on dirt in the Grade 2 Marathon on Nov. 3 in his first start since being claimed by trainer Neil Drysdale, moves back to the turf.

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.