Divisidero looking for a prep – and a win
ELMONT, N.Y. – Coming off his eye-catching stretch-run win in the Grade 2 American Turf at Churchill Downs four weeks ago, Divisidero could have been the favorite in the Grade 3, $500,000 Penn Mile on Saturday at Penn National.
But his connections are looking for more distance, not less, for Divisidero, who will prep for the Grade 1, $1.25 million Belmont Derby Invitational at 1 1/4 miles on July 4 by running in Saturday’s listed $200,000 Pennine Ridge Stakes at 1 1/8 miles at Belmont.
“It was stretching him to a mile and an eighth, a race over the course, and you still have five weeks to the Belmont Derby,” trainer Buff Bradley said of why he chose the Pennine Ridge for Divisidero. “We obviously want to win, and we’re going up there to win, but this isn’t our goal. We’re looking at the race on July 4.”
So is trainer Chad Brown, who sends out three runners against Divisidero in the Pennine Ridge. Brown has the promising Takeover Target, who is coupled with Startup Nation, a graded stakes winner last year. Brown also saddles Chief Kitten, a stakes winner at Gulfstream Park West last November.
Completing the field are World Approval, third in the American Turf; Eh Cumpari, who beat Divisidero in the Grade 3 Palm Beach at Gulfstream; Made in Detroit, potentially the primary speed in the Pennine Ridge; and Rock Eagle.
The Pennine Ridge goes as race 9 on a 10-race card.
KEY CONTENDERS
Divisidero (Last 3 Beyers: 88-76-75)
◗ Son of Kitten’s Joy has won 2 of 3 starts with a narrow loss when forced to check in the Palm Beach Stakes in March.
◗ Unleashed a powerful stretch kick to run down A Lot in the American Turf. A Lot came back to win the Paradise Creek Stakes last week.
◗ Bradley said he can lay a little closer than he has in his previous races, and with added distance, he might not have as much ground to make up.
“I’ve always thought he could be a little closer and do that without getting that far back,” Bradley said. “So far, I haven’t seen it. As races stretch out, you’ll see him closer because he does have some speed.”
◗ Rafael Hernandez, who won his dirt debut at Belmont last September, will ride his first race over Belmont’s turf course in this race.
Takeover Target (Beyers: 85-80)
◗ He is 2 for 2, with both of his wins having come over Belmont’s turf course, albeit seven months apart.
◗ Unleashed a strong closing kick while five to six wide to win a first-level allowance May 7, seemingly with more left in the tank.
Came back with a solid five-furlong work last Sunday in which his exercise rider had a ton of horse while working head-and-head with Startup Nation.
World Approval (Last 3 Beyers: 82-76-72)
◗ A switch to turf and the addition of blinkers have been key for this gelding by Northern Afleet. This winter, he won at Gulfstream and Tampa Bay Downs before finishing third behind Divisidero in the American Turf.
◗ Has put in two strong workouts at Churchill Downs since his last start.