Hunt Declared from BC Mile as Divisidero Draws In
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Photo: Coady Photography/Churchill Downs
Two-time grade 1 winner Divisidero will make the field for the Breeders' Cup Mile at Churchill Downs
Michael House's Hunt has been declared from the $2 million Breeders' Cup Mile (G1T), opening the door for Divisidero to run Nov. 3 at Churchill Downs.
Hunt remained at his California base because of a slight temperature, trainer Phil D'Amato told the Breeders' Cup notes team Oct. 30. The grade 1-winning Dark Angel gelding earned an automatic berth in the Mile with his May 28 Shoemaker Mile Stakes (G1T) score at Santa Anita Park, but next finished off the board in two grade 2 starts. He ran 13th in the 2017 Longines Breeders' Cup Turf (G1T) at Del Mar.
With the defection, Gunpowder Farms' Divisidero draws in off the also-eligible list. Jevian Toledo has the mount on the Kelly Rubley trainee, the first Breeders' Cup starter for trainer and jockey.
"It's been so depressing all week, knowing we were on the also-eligible list," Rubley said. "We hope all is well with Hunt but we're very excited and looking forward to the opportunity."
Divisidero, a 6-year-old son of Kitten's Joy , earned his grade 1 wins over the Churchill turf in the Woodford Reserve Turf Classic (G1T) in 2016-17 for trainer Buff Bradley. He comes off a fifth in the Sept. 15 Ricoh Woodbine Mile (G1T) and looks back to July 7 Arlington Handicap (G3T) at Arlington International Racecourse for his last win. Between the two, he was third in the Fourstardave Handicap (G1T) at Saratoga Race Course.