Diversify Will Not Run in 2018 Breeders' Cup
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Photo: Coglianese Photos/Joe Labozzetta
Diversify wins the Whitney Stakes at Saratoga
Two-time grade 1 winner Diversify has been officially removed from consideration for the 2018 Breeders' Cup World Championships, said co-owner Ralph Evans Oct. 12.
The 5-year-old Bellamy Road gelding earned an all-fees-paid berth into the Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) by virtue of his 3 1/2-length victory over Mind Your Biscuits in the grade 1 Whitney Stakes Aug. 4 at Saratoga Race Course. Trained by Rick Violette Jr., Diversify finished a disappointing fifth as the 3-5 favorite last time out in the Jockey Club Gold Cup Stakes (G1) after battling through fast early fractions with grade/group 1 winner Mendelssohn .
"He's not training up to speed, so to speak, so we're going to pass on the Breeders' Cup," said Evans, who co-owns the New York-bred millionaire with his daughter Lauren.
Evans said Diversify has lost weight since the Gold Cup and will get a break, possibly at Hogan Equine in New Jersey. He added that, ideally, Diversify will return to training in time to target the Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes (G1) Jan. 26 at Gulfstream Park.
"We really don't (have a set plan yet). … The Pegasus is on the radar a little bit, but I'm quite sure he'll get some rest now," he said.
In 2017, Diversify capped a three-race win streak with a one-length victory in the Jockey Club Gold Cup, but he didn't race in the Breeders' Cup at Del Mar. He ran instead in the Clark Handicap presented by Norton Healthcare (G1) Nov. 24 at Churchill Downs, setting the early pace before fading in the stretch to a fourth-place finish.