‘Exhibit’ Has Her Eye on the ‘Prize’

DP Racing’s Prize Exhibit (GB) (Showcasing {GB}) hopes to collect her third straight graded stakes victory and first at the highest level Saturday in the GI Del Mar Oaks. Previously trained by Jamie Osborne during her European campaign and when fourth to Lady Eli (English Channel) in the GI Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf Oct. 31, the dark bay won her debut for the Jim Cassidy barn in a grassy Arcadia optional claimer Jan. 25. Fourth in both the Apr. 4 GIII Providencia S. and May 3 GII Honeymoon S., the sophomore was fifth in the Penn Oaks May 30 and has been on fire since with a pair of victories in Arcadia’s GIII Senorita S. June 27 and this venue’s GII San Clemente H. July 19.

Mike Stidham saddles a pair of strong contenders in Ike and Dawn Thrash’s Her Emmynency (Successful Appeal) and Empyrean Stables’s Zipessa (City Zip). Opening her account with a debut win on the synthetic here last year, Her Emmynency was second to the reopposing Sunset Glow (Exchange Rate) next out in the GI Del Mar Debutante S. on that same surface July 19 and successfully switched to the turf next out with a win in Arcadia’s Surfer Girl S. Oct. 5. Capturing her belated seasonal bow in an off-the-turf test at Arlington June 20, the bay was sixth last time in the San Clemente. A decisive 6 3/4-length winner in her career bow on the synthetic at Arlington May 31, Zipessa made it two in a row with an optional claimer win on the turf here July 17 and is cross-entered in this venue’s Sandy Blue H. Friday.

Ten Broeck Farm’s Sunset Glow has not seen the winner’s circle since her greatest triumph at this venue last year, but has come close in all her attempts since. Second in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf, the Wesley Ward trainee finished third to Lady Eli in Keeneland’s GIII Appalachian S. Apr. 12, was second in Belmont’s Wait a While S. May 16 and filled that spot again in the San Clemente.

Gary Barber, Brous Stable and Wachtel Stable’s California Oaks winner Sharla Rae (Afleet Alex) looks to keep trainer Doug O’Neill’s hot streak during this meet going. Third in the GIII Bourbonette Oaks at Turfway Park Mar. 21, the bay was second to Spanish Queen (Tribal Rule) in both the Honeymoon and GI American Oaks at Santa Anita May 30. She was seventh to undefeated Lady Eli last time in the GI Belmont Oaks July 4.