Diversify likely to target Woodward Stakes

ELMONT, N.Y. – Diversify, who romped to a 6 1/2-length victory in Saturday’s Grade 2, $700,000 Suburban Stakes, will likely make his next start in the Grade 1, $750,000 Woodward at Saratoga on Sept. 1, trainer Rick Violette said Sunday.

Violette feels the Grade 1, $1.25 million Whitney on Aug. 4 may come up a bit too soon for a horse who earned a career-best 110 Beyer Speed Figure on Saturday.

“It would have been nice to do both up there because he loves that track, too, but I don’t think we’ll be able to do it,” said Violette, who called Diversify’s performance Saturday “scary impressive.”

Diversify’s final time of 1:59.84 was the fastest Suburban run at 1 1/4 miles since 2004, when Peace Rules covered the distance in 1:59.52.

Violette said Diversify was “tired and wound up” Sunday morning. “He laid it all on the line yesterday.”