Waiting for Clark Handicap looks like a smart move for Diversify

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Rick Violette is hoping the wait was worth it.

Violette thought carefully before deciding not to run his stable star Diversify in the Breeders’ Cup Classic, waiting instead for the Clark Handicap at Churchill Downs nearly three weeks later.

On paper, at least, Violette already has been rewarded for his patience – Diversify looks like the lone speed in a field of nine entered in the Grade 1, $500,000 Clark, which will be run Friday for the 143rd time. With Irad Ortiz Jr. in from New York to ride, Diversify will break from the outside post in the 1 1/8-mile race.

“The first option is gonna be, ‘Go!’ ” Violette said.

Using familiar front-running tactics, Diversify won the Grade 1 Jockey Club Gold Cup on Oct. 7 at Belmont Park. The 4-year-old New York-bred gelding earned a Win and You’re In berth into the Nov. 4 Breeders’ Cup Classic at Del Mar for owners Loren and Ralph Evans, but the free ticket went unused.

“Discretion was the better part of valor” is how Violette summed up the decision not to travel to Del Mar. “Since he’s a gelding, the Evanses want this guy around for as long as they can have him.”

Diversify will carry 123 pounds as the Clark co-highweight with Hoppertunity, who will have Florent Geroux aboard and breaks from the inside post. From the rail, and with weights and jockeys, this is the Clark lineup: Hoppertunity, 123, Geroux; Seeking the Soul, 116, John Velazquez; Good Samaritan, 116, Joel Rosario; Destin, 121, Ricardo Santana Jr.; Goats Town, 114, Chris Landeros; Mo Tom, 114, Brian Hernandez Jr.; The Player, 119, Calvin Borel; Honorable Duty, 120, Corey Lanerie; and Diversify, 123, Ortiz.

The Clark, the 11th of 12 Friday races, will be run under the lights and anchors a busy closing-week stakes schedule that starts Thursday with the Grade 2 Falls City and Grade 3 River City. First post Friday is 1 p.m. Eastern, with the Clark set for 5:56 on a card that also includes the Grade 2 Mrs. Revere (race 9, 4:57) for 3-year-old turf fillies and the $80,000 Dream Supreme (race 10, 5:27) for filly and mare sprinters.

Saturday will bring the second Stars of Tomorrow program of the 21-day meet, with all 12 races for 2-year-olds. The card is highlighted by twin Grade 2 stakes, the Kentucky Jockey Club and Golden Rod. Sunday is closing day, with live action on the Kentucky circuit moving afterward to Turfway Park, although most horsemen who have been active at Keeneland and Churchill will travel elsewhere for the winter. Dry weather is in the Louisville forecast all week.