Prize Exhibit might try dirt in Santa Maria

ARCADIA, Calif. – Prize Exhibit, who won her third graded stakes on turf in the $201,500 Monrovia Stakes at Santa Anita last Sunday, might start on a dirt track for the first time next month.

Owner Deron Pearson and trainer Jim Cassidy are considering Prize Exhibit for the $200,000 Santa Maria Stakes at 1 1/16 miles on dirt Feb. 13. Another option is to keep the 4-year-old filly on turf for the $200,000 Buena Vista Stakes at a mile Feb. 20.

“We might try it,” Cassidy said of the Santa Maria. “She trains good on it, but that doesn’t mean anything. She’s never had dirt in her face.”

Prize Exhibit has won 6 of 20 starts and earned $530,800. She has made 19 starts on turf and won a six-furlong maiden race on a synthetic surface at Lingfield, England, as a 2-year-old in 2014.

The win in the Grade 2 Monrovia equaled the most prestigious victory of Prize Exhibit’s career. She won the Grade 2 San Clemente Handicap at Del Mar last July.