Top Violette assistant Cohen to keep working with Diversify

Trainer Jonathan Thomas, who welcomed Diversify to his barn following the death of former conditioner Rick Violette, has also brought on a new assistant familiar with the Grade 1 winner.

Thomas hired Melissa Cohen, Violette’s top aide, to oversee his Belmont Park string that’s expected to house Diversify, the 6-year-old gelding with nearly $2 million in earnings.

“As you have these little successes, you certainly start to attract not only some equine talent, but some human talent as well,” said Thomas, who rose to prominence last year with Catholic Boy’s scores in the Belmont Derby Invitational (G1) and Travers Stakes (G1).

“We’re always hoping that we’re putting key people in these places and build a strong stable around them.”

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Diversify, a New York-bred son of Bellamy Road, is in what Thomas called “moderate training.” Should he remain on schedule, the horse could breeze by late April and race this summer.

The Ralph and Lauren Evans runner’s transition was likely eased, Thomas said, given he modeled his training program after people like Violette. The staunch supporter of horsemen rights passed away last October at 65.

Cohen, a native of Canada, worked for Violette for 15 years and served as Diversify’s primary caretaker when her boss — and, by the end, more like a family member — was too ill to work.

“My assistant trainer, Melissa Cohen, has been a godsend,” Violette told Bob Ehalt last August in an America’s Best Racing report. “She would pick me up and carry me to bed when things got rough. I never had to worry about the barn when she was around. She’s been spectacular.”

“That kind of continuity is really good,” Thomas added. “We’re getting someone who has a tremendous wealth of knowledge under her belt. We’re only going to be stronger from having someone like that on our team.”

Diversify has won at the top level the past two seasons, taking the 2017 Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1) at Belmont Park and the 2018 Whitney Stakes (G1) at Saratoga. He last appeared in the 2018 Gold Cup, running fifth.

In addition to New York, Thomas expects to continue running past the current Championship Meet at Gulfstream Park, where he has hired another assistant.

“We’re just doing some team-building," the trainer said, "and I’m thrilled with the people we’ve been able to gather up at certain courses.”