Prize Exhibit prevails by nose in Monrovia

ARCADIA, Calif. - Leave it to Prize Exhibit to rescue trainer Jim Cassidy.

Sunday, Prize Exhibit won her third graded stakes in the $201,500 Monrovia Stakes at Santa Anita, the stable’s first graded stakes win since the filly won the Grade 2 San Clemente Handicap at Del Mar last July.

Prize Exhibit’s first graded stakes win occurred in the Grade 3 Senorita Stakes at Santa Anita last June, which ended a two-month gap between graded stakes wins for the stable.

In the Grade 2 Monrovia, Prize Exhibit ($17.80) closed from fourth in a field of 11 to win her debut on Santa Anita’s hillside turf course. Ridden by Santiago Gonzalez, Prize Exhibit was always near the front, took the lead in early stretch, and was fully extended to finish a nose in front of 6-1 Shrinking Violet.

Ageless, the 6-5 favorite, finished third, a half-length behind Shrinking Violet. Illuminant finished fourth, followed by Theatre Star, Baruta, Velvet Mesquite, Lutine Belle, Singing Kitty, Heavens Stairway, and Our Pure Creation.

Prize Exhibit ran about 6 1/2 furlongs on the hillside turf course in 1:12.96.

“I was surprised she was a close as she was, but it kept her to the task,” Cassidy said.

Owned by Deron Pearson, Prize Exhibit has won 6 of 20 starts and earned $530,800. She began her career in England, where she was third in the Group 3 Oh So Sharp Stakes at Newmarket in October 2014. Prize Exhibit joined Cassidy’s stable in the fall of 2014. She was fourth in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf here in October 2014.

In addition to her three graded stakes wins, Prize Exhibit was second in the Grade 2 Yellow Ribbon Stakes against older fillies and mares at Del Mar last September.

Prize Exhibit is by the Oasis Dream stallion Showcasing.