Divisidero Gets Back on Form in Arlington Handicap

Multiple grade 1 winner Divisidero, a late-running seventh in the 2017 Arlington Million XXXV Stakes (G1T), may have a shot at redemption after winning the local prep for this year's renewal, the Arlington Handicap (G3T) July 7.

With Jevian Toledo at the controls, the 6-year-old son of Kitten's Joy  took up station well off the pace. He moved up outside the leaders turning for home to take the lead and fended off the late challenges of runner-up Revved Up and third-place Synchrony in the $100,000 race at Arlington International Racecourse.

Owned by Gunpowder Farms, Divisidero was making his third start for trainer Kelly Rubley, who took over from Buff Bradley after the horse's 2017 campaign. Earlier in his career, he twice won the Woodford Reserve Turf Classic (G1T) at Churchill Downs.

"It's certainly been an experience," Rubley said of taking over a top-level horse with earnings in excess of $1 million. "It's very exciting."

She 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 in his two previous starts.

Rubley, who has about 50 horses at the Fair Hills Training Center, said her options are open for Divisidero. Asked about a repeat try in the Million Aug. 11, she said, "I wouldn't rule it out."

Although he finished seventh in last year's Million, Divisidero was only 2 1/2 lengths behind the winner, Beach Patrol, after a tardy start.

Toledo said he was confident of Divisidero's ability at one mile. "And I was confident he could get this distance." The Arlington Handicap is 1 3/16 miles; the Million, 1 1/4 miles.

Bred in Kentucky by Hinkle Farms, Divisidero improved his record to six wins from 19 starts and snapped a five-race losing skid.

The Stars and Stripes Stakes (G3T), the longest race on a day labeled "Race to the Million," no longer has a counterpart on Million day as the American St. Leger (G3T) is not being contested this season.

After allowing him to set a leisurely pace in the Stars and Stripes, none of his rivals could catch Catcho En Die. The 6-year-old Catcher In The Rye gelding held on gamely, repelling challenges from inside and outside, to win by a neck over Canessar. Soglio was third, another neck back.

Catcho En Die, owned by his trainer, Naipaul Chatterpaul, ran 1 1/2 miles on firm turf in 2:27.51.

Chatterpaul claimed the Argentine-bred April 21 at Aqueduct Racetrack and had little luck in the Man o' War Stakes (G1T) and Woodford Reserve Manhattan Stakes (G1T), finishing fifth and 10th. But Catcho En Die was not disgraced in either effort, and Chatterpaul kept the faith.

"That's what I'm known for—claiming horses and moving them up," he said.

Winning rider Jose Valdivia Jr. said he "took advantage of a paceless race. I knew I had lots of horse, and the more challenges on the inside and outside, that just made him more gutsy."

Video: Arlington H. (G3T)