The decison seemed odd. Prime Attraction had improved markedly in recent months on turf and going longer distances, yet his owner, Deron Pearson, preferred to move him back to dirt this week for the Native Diver on Saturday, which was worth half the purse of Friday's Turf Cup.

It turned out to be the right call. Prime Attraction rolled to a 2 1/2-length victory in the 1 1/8-mile Native Diver over Irish Freedom in a race in which Top of the Game got completely stopped behind the tiring Curlin Rules a quarter-mile out.

Mubtaahij, the favorite, was third, a length behind Irish Freedom, with Top of the Game fourth.

Victor Espinoza rode Prime Attraction for trainer Jim Cassidy.

Prime Attraction paid $16 after covering nine furlongs on the fast main track in 1:49.87.

It was the first stakes win for Prime Attraction, 4, a colt by Unbridled's Song. He had finished last in his two prior dirt stakes tries, the Californian and Gold Cup at Santa Anita. He has now won four times in 12 starts.