Divisidero returned to the winner’s circle Saturday for the first time since winning his second Woodford Reserve Turf Classic (G1) in May 2017. His victory this time came in the $100,000 Arlington H. (G3), a prep for next month’s Arlington Million (G1).
Ridden by Jevian Toledo, Divisidero rallied from off the pace to win the 1 3/16-mile turf event by a half-length over 14-1 shot Revved Up. Synchrony, the 11-10 favorite was a flat third, a half-length behind the runner-up.
Owned by Gunpowder Farm, Divisidero paid $7 as the second choice after completing the distance in 1:54.03 over firm ground.
This was Divisidero’s first win since being transferred from trainer Buff Bradley to Kelly Rubley. A narrowly-beaten second in the May 26 Monmouth (G2) in his debut for Rubley, he entered the Arlington ‘Cap off a close fourth in the Wise Dan (G2) at Churchill Downs.
“It has certainly been an experience, one I am grateful for the opportunity to have had,” said Rubley, who was winning her first graded stakes. “It’s very exciting, I can’t tell you how excited we all are. I think this horse is versatile. He can run a mile, and I was confident he could get this mile-and-three-sixteenths. Our options are open.”
The additional ground appeared to help the six-year-old son of Kitten’s Joy, who could seek to improve on his seventh-place effort in last year’s Million in the 1 1/4-mile test scheduled for August 11.
In addition to his wins in the Turf Classic at Churchill, Divisidero has also claimed victories in the 2015 American Turf (G2) and Pennine Ridge. He’s placed four times in stakes at Gulfstream: the 2015 Palm Beach (G3), 2016 Appleton (G3) and Canadian Turf (G3), and 2017 Ft. Lauderdale (G2).
Bred in Kentucky by Hinkle Farms, Divisidero is out of Madame Du Lac, by Lemon Drop Kid. This female family has yielded Hall of Fame filly Tosmah and dual champion turf mare Flawlessly.
