Prime Attraction possible for Pegasus World Cup

DEL MAR, Calif. – Prime Attraction, the winner of Saturday’s Grade 3 Native Diver Stakes at Del Mar, will stay on dirt this winter and may even start in the $16 million Pegasus World Cup at Gulfstream Park in January, trainer Jim Cassidy said on Sunday.

Cassidy said owner Deron Pearson mentioned the Pegasus World Cup as a possibility, although the $1 million nomination fee is a concern, he said. Cassidy said Pearson likely would seek a financial partner if the race is chosen.

“He would like to see someone dropping out that would partner up,” Cassidy said.

The field for the Pegasus World Cup is expected to be led by Gun Runner, the winner of the Breeders’ Cup Classic on Nov. 4 and the leading candidate for the Horse of the Year title.

“Gun Runner is tough enough,” Cassidy said.

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Aside from the Pegasus World Cup, Cassidy said leading races on dirt at the Santa Anita winter-spring meeting will be considered, notably the Grade 2 San Antonio Stakes at 1 1/8 miles in early February and the Grade 1 Santa Anita Handicap on March 10.

“There are great opportunities at Santa Anita,” he said.

Prime Attraction won his first stakes in the Native Diver at 1 1/8 miles on dirt, a win likely to redefine the career of a 4-year-old colt by Unbridled’s Song who was second in the Grade 2 John Henry Turf Championship at Santa Anita on Oct. 1. Prime Attraction was entered for Friday’s Grade 2 Hollywood Turf Cup at 1 1/2 miles at Del Mar but was withdrawn in favor of Saturday’s race primarily because of the distance.

“The mile and a half might be too far, and he’s bred for the dirt,” Cassidy said. “We wanted to make sure he could handle the dirt, and we can go forward with the races at Santa Anita.”

Prime Attraction has won 4 of 12 starts and earned $235,545. He was feisty in the winner’s circle under jockey Victor Espinoza and again at Cassidy’s barn after the race.

“We had all we could do to keep him settled down,” Cassidy said.