ARCADIA, Calif. - As expected, Diversify, the Grade 1 Jockey Club Gold Cup winner, will skip Saturday’s $6 million Breeders’ Cup Classic, trainer Rick Violette said Sunday.

Diversify earned a fees-paid berth into the Classic with his front-running victory in the Jockey Club Gold Cup at Belmont Park on Oct. 7. But the Classic field has several speed or close-to-the-pace types, including top-flight contenders, Arrogate, Collected and Gun Runner, which would make it extremely hard on Diversify to get the trip he desires.

Belmont Park has canceled racing for Sunday, the final day of its fall meet, due to expected heavy rain and windy conditions.

There was a two-day pick-six carryover of $70,977 going into the Sunday card, which would have had a mandatory payout to bettors selecting the most winners in the sequence, even if nobody picked all six.

The New York Racing Association has submitted a request to the New York State Gaming Commission to move the carryover to opening day of the Aqueduct meet Friday.

DEL MAR, Calif. – Jerry Hollendorfer marches to and from the track each morning with quick yet purposeful strides, his head down, focused on getting to his favorite spot in the grandstand to watch his horses train.

There’s little variance in the approach. He likes his routine. And that determination has served him well this year, for it seems every time Hollendorfer, 71, has taken a step forward, he’s had to take a step back, but he remains steadfast in his resolve.

Jockey Chantal Sutherland will ride at Fair Grounds this summer, she said on Thursday.

“I kind of want to change,” Sutherland said. “I love Cali. I’ve never ridden in New Orleans and I want something new.”

Sutherland plans to move to Fair Grounds after Sunday’s final day of the Santa Anita autumn meeting. Fair Grounds opens on Nov. 18.

“I can work horses and get settled,” Sutherland said.

With the eyes of the racing world on the Breeders’ Cup, Daily Racing Form will provide free and unlimited access to news articles and analysis at DRF.com beginning Monday.

DRF’s racing coverage and handicapping – previously part of DRF Plus – will be available to all DRF.com visitors without a subscription. It’s our hope that the access will generate more interest in racing among both handicappers and casual fans.

At its monthly meeting Thursday at Laurel Park, the Maryland Racing Commission signed off on a 171-day racing schedule for the Maryland Jockey Club tracks of Laurel and Pimlico in 2018.

The Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association is scheduled to meet Monday to ratify their agreement with the MJC.

Laurel will host 159 of the dates while Pimlico will hold a 12-day meet, the same as it did this year.

DEL MAR, Calif. – Keen Ice, best known for upsetting Triple Crown winner American Pharoah in the 2015 Travers Stakes, has a minor injury that will prevent him from running in the $6 million Breeders’ Cup Classic on Nov. 4 here at Del Mar. Because the Classic was scheduled to be the final career start for Keen Ice before he goes to stud next year at Calumet Farm, he has been retired.

Keen Ice was scheduled to have his final work for the Classic on Friday at Belmont Park.

The Pennsylvania Legislature on Thursday approved a massive expansion of gambling as part of a $32 billion budget package sent to Gov. Tom Wolf for his signature. The measure does not require new gambling sites to subsidize horse racing and breeding industries in the state.

Grade 1, $500,000 Breeders’ Futurity; 1 1/16 miles; Keeneland; Oct. 7, 2017
(10 Derby qualifying points for a win, 4 for second, 2 for third, 1 for fourth)

Winner: Free Drop Billy, by Union Rags
Trainer: Dale Romans
Jockey: Robby Albarado
Owner: Albaugh Family Stables
Beyer Speed Figure: 79

BELMONT PARK MONDAY

WEATHER: FOGGY

TRACK: FAST

TEMP.: 57

By Mike Welsch

ELMONT, N.Y. – Class was in session Monday morning at Belmont Park for Best Performance, with professors Christophe Clement and Joel Rosario designing a workout to help school the multiple graded stakes-placed 2-year-old for her upcoming assignment in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf.