Prize Exhibit auditions for Queen Elizabeth II in Yellow Ribbon

DEL MAR, Calif. – Prize Exhibit is the lone 3-year-old filly in the $200,000 Yellow Ribbon Handicap at Del Mar on Sunday and the only runner in the field of 12 with two stakes wins this year.

However, Prize Exhibit is the one with something to prove in the Grade 2 Yellow Ribbon for fillies and mares at 1 1/16 miles on turf. A potential trip to Keeneland for the $500,000 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup for 3-year-old fillies at 1 1/8 miles on turf Oct. 10 is dependent on a successful race Sunday.

Earlier this year, Prize Exhibit won consecutive one-mile turf races for 3-year-olds fillies – the Grade 3 Senorita Stakes on June 15 at Santa Anita and the Grade 2 San Clemente Handicap here July 19. She then finished third as the 7-5 favorite in the Grade 1 Del Mar Oaks at 1 1/8 miles on turf Aug. 15.

Prize Exhibit needs to impress owner Deron Pearson and trainer Jim Cassidy in the Yellow Ribbon to earn a trip to Keeneland.

“If she doesn’t finish well, we’ll have to question the mile and an eighth,” Pearson said.

Prize Exhibit is one of five 2015 stakes winners in the field, along with Blingismything, Notte d’Oro, Queen of The Sand, and Thegirlinthatsong. She’s Not Here is the only runner to have won her last start, an optional claimer at a mile here Aug. 6.

Key contenders

Prize Exhibit (Last 3 Beyers: 90-93-96)

Prize Exhibit is a closer whose late kick carried her to the lead in the final furlong of the Senorita and San Clemente. In the Del Mar Oaks, Prize Exhibit was beaten 2 1/4 lengths by Sharla Rae.

“She was back farther and not in the first group,” Pearson said. “I think she had too much left to do. She sets up on numbers. Hopefully, the pace is all right. There are lot of good closers. I think we have to beat Queen of The Sand.”

Queen of The Sand (Last 3 Beyers: 98-92-88)

Queen of The Sand was second by a head to Elektrum in the Grade 2 John Mabee Stakes at 1 1/8 miles on turf here Aug 8. In April at Santa Anita, Queen of The Sand won the Grade 3 Santa Barbara Handicap at 1 1/4 miles on turf and was beaten a neck in the Grade 2 Royal Heroine Stakes at a mile on turf June 27.

On Friday, trainer Paddy Gallagher said Queen of The Sand could be withdrawn in favor of a start in the $300,000 Rodeo Drive Stakes for fillies and mares at 1 1/4 miles on turf Sept. 26 at Santa Anita.

“We’ll take a look and see,” he said. “It’s shortening up, so that’s a thought.”

Blingismything (Last 3 Beyers: 88-87-93)

Trained by Eric Kruljac, Blingismything won the Grade 3 Wilshire Stakes at a mile on turf at Santa Anita in April but has lost her last three starts, all graded stakes on turf. In the Mabee, Blingismything was seventh of eight but was beaten only 1 3/4 lengths. She is a threat from off the pace under jockey Tyler Baze.