Silver Cup takes Buena Vista

ARCADIA, Calif. - A strategy of follow-the-leader gave Silver Cup her second graded stakes win of the year in Monday's $150,000 at Santa Anita.

Silver Cup broke from the outside in post 11, but jockey Victor Espinoza hustled her toward the inside in the first quarter-mile and into a stalking position behind Elusive Diva, who broke from post 10.

Silver Cup was third until the final furlong when she engaged Elusive Diva, taking the lead five strides before the finish. Silver Cup won by three-quarters of a length over Elusive Diva.

"I think it helped me a lot to get that position in the first turn," Espinoza said. "That was the key right there."

Trained by Patrick Biancone for Martin Schwartz, Silver Cup ($16.20) ran a mile on turf in 1:34.92.

With a furlong remaining several fillies and mares had a chance to win. Elusive Diva led by 1 1-2 lengths, but Mirabilis, Silver Cup, Ticker Tape and Katdogawn were within three lengths.

Silver Cup needed several reminders by Espinoza before she reached the front. "You have to get after her," he said.

Elusive Diva finished a nose in front of Mirabilis, the 7-2 favorite who finished a half-length in front of Ticker Tape.

Silver Cup won the Grade 2 San Gorgonio Handicap last month. A 4-year-old, she has won 7 of 12 starts and $469,485.