Arlington Million, Fourstardave both possible for Divisidero

Grade 3 Arlington Handicap winner Divisidero put in his final work Friday morning for a possible start in the Grade 1 Arlington Million on Saturday, August 11. Owned by Gunpowder Farm, the 6-year-old son of Kitten’s Joy breezed a half-mile in :50.00 at Fair Hill Training Center in Maryland.

“He worked great,” trainer Kelly Rubley said. “He’s been training forwardly and I’m happy with how he came out the (Arlington Handicap).”

Rubley stated that Divisidero is 50-50 for the Million and could possibly opt for the 1 1/8-miles Grade I $500,000 Fourstardave Handicap at Saratoga Race Course on the same day as the Million.

Should he race at the Chicagoland oval, he will be looking to make amends after a seventh-place finish in last year’s edition where he finished 2½ lengths behind Beach Patrol. Divisidero broke from post eleven and sat well off the pace early before making up ground with very little asking from jockey Julien Leparoux, but was wide around the final turn and did not have enough to finish in the money.

Although Divisidero is winless in four tries at the Arlington Million’s mile-and-a-quarter distance, Rubley doesn’t see it as a hindrance to her charge.

“I don’t mind the distance – his running style suits it,” Rubley said. “He’s versatile and he’s competitive at a mile-and-a-quarter. I have a lot of confidence in this horse.”

Regardless of whether he races in the Arlington Million or the Fourstardave, Divisidero will be attempting his third Grade 1 victory. He won back-to-back editions of the Woodford Reserve Turf Classic at Churchill Downs when under the care of former conditioner William “Buff” Bradley. 

In either race, jockey Jevian Toledo will retain the mount.

Prior to the Arlington Handicap, Divisidero was second to fellow Million possible contender Money Multiplier in the Grade 2 Monmouth Stakes at its namesake track on May 26 and then a close fourth in the Grade 2 Wise Dan Handicap at Churchill Downs on June 16 behind Mr. Misunderstood. In both starts, Divisidero was beaten only three-quarters of a length.

Divisidero was bred in Kentucky by Hinkle Farms and is the fourth foal out of the Lemon Drop Kid broodmare Madame Du Lac. He was purchased for $250,000 by Margaux Farm from the Keeneland September Yearling Sale in 2015 where he was consigned by his breeders.

The Arlington Million is one of five stakes carded for the International Festival of Racing. The 1¼-mile event for 3-year-olds and upward over the turf is a “Win and You’re In” event for the Longines Breeders’ Cup Turf at Churchill Downs on Nov. 3.