Divisidero targets Arlington Million
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Trainer Buff Bradley said Divisidero is being pointed to the Aug. 12 Arlington Million after exiting his last start in excellent fashion.
“He really couldn’t be doing any better,” said Bradley. “Ever since he got back to Kentucky [in late March], he’s been really happy.”
Divisidero, owned by the Gunpowder Farms LLC of Tom Keithley, hardly changed positions when finishing sixth, beaten just 2 1/4 lengths, in the Grade 1 Manhattan on the June 10 Belmont Stakes card. The 5-year-old horse won the Grade 1 Woodford Reserve Turf Classic on Kentucky Derby Day two starts back and has earned Beyer Speed Figures of 100 or higher in seven of his last eight starts.
“I don’t believe he’ll run again before the Million, but I’m not going to rule that out,” said Bradley.
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Impressive Edge to Iowa Derby
Trainer Dale Romans has ruled out J Boys Echo for the July 7 Iowa Derby at Prairie Meadows but said he intends to send Impressive Edge to the Des Moines-area track for the Grade 3, $250,000 race.
Impressive Edge, owned by NK Racing, was fourth in the Florida Derby and third in the Peter Pan in his last two starts. J Boys Echo, a distant ninth in the Belmont Stakes, has “no definite plans” on the horizon, said Romans.
Finley’sluckycharm a heavy favorite
Finley’sluckycharm will be the 124-pound highweight and heavy favorite Saturday in the Grade 3, $100,000 Chicago Handicap, a seven-furlong race being held here for the first time after 27 runnings at Arlington Park.
This will be the third start at the meet for Finley’sluckycharm as trainer Bret Calhoun continues to prepare the 4-year-old filly for the Grade 1 Ballerina on Aug. 26 at Saratoga. Finley’sluckycharm won the Roxelana and Grade 3 Winning Colors to run her career record to 7 for 9.
Asmussen atop standings again
With the 38-day spring meet winding down, 17-time Churchill training champion Steve Asmussen appears to have a slight upper hand in what has been a hotly contested trainers’ race.
Into Thursday, and with seven cards to go, Asmussen had sent out 17 winners, one more than Ian Wilkes. They were closely followed by Brad Cox (14), Tom Amoss (13), and a four-way tie for fifth (12 each).
• Sunday will be the last daytime program of the meet. Twilight cards will be held next Wednesday and Thursday, and then the meet ends with a Downs After Dark card on Friday, June 30. A pair of 2-year-old stakes, the Bashford Manor and Debutante, will highlight the finale.