Bradley to Point Divisidero to Secretariat
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Trainer William 'Buff' Bradley has decided to point multiple stakes-winning sophomore turf colt Divisidero to the $450,000 Secretariat Stakes (gr. IT) Aug. 15 at Arlington International Racecourse.
Gunpowder Farms' Divisidero exits the only poor showing of his five-race career, a seventh-place finish in the $1.25 million Belmont Derby Invitational (gr. I) July 4 at Belmont Park. Under Rafael Hernandez, the son of Kitten's Joy was held up at the tail end of the field after a slow half in :50.30 before launching a bid, but ultimately finished 5 3/4 lengths behind the winner.
"He came out of the race well," Bradley said. "Unfortunately we didn't have the trip we needed in that race. He went his last half in about :46, so I think he was definitely extending himself, he just doesn't need to be as far back as he was during a slow pace. He was tugging."
Before that effort Divisidero registered wins in the Pennine Ridge Stakes at Belmont and the American Turf Stakes (gr. IIT) at Churchill Downs.
"He trained lightly last week and now is back in full-on training," Bradley continued. "He's full of energy right now. I think he can run closer to the pace next time if need be. Hopefully he runs his race (at Arlington) and shows how good he is."
If he runs in the Secretariat, Divisidero is likely to get a rematch with the first two finishers in the Belmont Derby: Richard Santulli's Force the Pass and the Aga Khan's Canndal. Connections of both horses have expressed interest in the 1 1/4-mile turf race for 3-year-olds