Divieto outlasts Secret Chat in Aventura Stakes

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - Divieto rebounded from a disappointing effort when he finished off the board as the favorite in his stakes debut by outlasting even-money favorite Secret Chat by a half-length to win Sunday’s $65,000 Aventura Stakes at Gulfstream Park.

Divieto was backed to 7-5 favoritism in the Proud Man Stakes after having rallied to a one-sided and relatively well-graded 4 1/2-length victory in his career debut on July 21. But Divieto lacked a similar closing response after making a five-wide middle move on the final turn before flattening out to finish fifth behind local 2-year-old division leader Bentoranto when returning in the six-furlong Proud Man.

Re-uniting with jockey Edgard Zayas, who was aboard for the colt’s maiden win, Divieto got roughed up between horses after the break but recovered to assume command before the end of the opening quarter of the one-mile Aventura. Zayas nursed Divieto on a clear lead thereafter, the pacesetter digging in through the final sixteenth to withstand a mild late challenge from Secret Chat despite getting a bit leg weary near the end.

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Secret Chat, a very impressive debut winner of his own here during the summer, raced near the rear of the compact lineup after also getting knocked around shortly after the start. Secret Chat came wide while advancing into the stretch and was gaining gradually on the winner at the end.

Self Sufficient, another who could not escape the bumping incident shortly after the break, recovered to race within easy striking distance while saving ground but came up empty after remaining well placed into the stretch.

Brawn, who came out instigating much of the trouble at the start, passed tired rivals to finish fourth. He was followed by Jive and the tiring Dontbesoogrouchy.

Divieto is a son of Dialed In. He is trained by Sano for the partnership of Magic Stables, Cairoli Racing Stable and Midnight Racing LLC. He returned $6.60 after covering the distance in 1:37.57 over a fast track.

“There was not much speed, so I told Zayas if he could, to try to make the front,” said Sano, who admitted to some anxious moments after seeing his horse get bumped around after the start. “Last time (in the Proud Man) he displaced (his soft palate). It was a very different race today.”

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