Divisidero 'happy as he can be' ahead of Woodbine Mile
Last time out, multiple Grade 1 stakes winner Divisidero finished third in New York. Next Saturday, the Kelly Rubley trainee will look to make his Canadian debut a winning one in the Grade 1, $800,000 Ricoh Woodbine Mile.
Sent off at 10-1 in the Fourstardave on August 11 at Saratoga, the six-year-old son of Kitten’s Joy took show honours in the Grade 1 feature, finishing two lengths behind runner-up Delta Prince who was a neck back of the winner, Voodoo Song.
One start earlier, the late-charging Gunpowder Farms colour bearer bobbled at the start, but rallied impressively, this time making the trip to the winner’s circle the Grade 3 Arlington Handicap on July 7.
“It was a tremendous effort,” praised Rubley of the Arlington score. “He’s just a fantastic horse.”
Rubley, who took over from conditioner Buff Bradley after the horse's 2017 campaign, has also saddled Divisidero to a second-place finish in the Monmouth Stakes (G2T) May 26 and a fourth-place showing in the Wise Dan Stakes (G2T) at Churchill Downs June 16.
"It's certainly been an experience," Rubley said of taking over Divisidero, who twice won the Woodford Reserve Turf Classic (G1T) at Churchill Downs. “It's very exciting."
The Kentucky-bred, who fashions a record of 6-3-4 in 20 starts, will have regular rider Jevian Toledo in the irons for the Mile, a Breeders’ Cup ‘Win and You’re In’ event.
Rubley is looking forward to bringing her charge to Canada for his first test on the world-renowned E.P. Taylor Turf Course.
“We’re excited to come up there,” she said of the lifetime earner of over $1.3 million. “I think he’ll really take to the course. I thought he ran a great race at Arlington and hopefully he can do the same at Woodbine. He’s coming into the Mile as happy as he can be.”
Divisidero, who has one win, one second and a third from four 2018 starts, 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 (U.S.) by Margaux Farm from the Keeneland September Yearling Sale in 2015, where he was consigned by his breeders.
EARLY LOOK AT THE GRADE 1 RICOH WOODBINE MILE (8)
Horse / Owner / Trainer / Jockey
Delta Prince / Stronach Stables / James Jerkens / Javier Castellano
Divisidero / Gunpowder Farms LLC / Kelly Rubley / Jevian Toledo
Good Samaritan / WinStar Farm LLC, China Horse Club International, SF Racing LLC, Head of Plains Partners LLC / Bill Mott / Joel Rosario
La Sardane / Team Valor International / Neil Drysdale / Rafael Bejerano
Lord Glitters / Geoff & Sandra Turnbull / David O’Meara / Jamie Spencer
Mr Havercamp / Sean & Dorothy Fitzhenry / Catherine Day Phillips / Eurico da Silva
Stormy Antarctic / Mr. P K Siu / E.C.D Walker / TBD
Vanish / Eight Star Racing Stables Inc. / Vito Armata / Ademar Santos