Divisidero adapts running style in Pennine Ridge

Divisidero proved that he’s not a one-dimensional closer, making him an even bigger threat in the Belmont Derby (NYRA/Adam Coglianese Photography) Gunpowder Farms’ Divisidero (Kitten’s Joy) has been adept as a deep closer in his debut victory at Gulfstream Park and more notably in the May 2 American Turf (G2) in his latest, but the promising turf sophomore expanded his tactical portfolio in Saturday’s $200,000 Pennine Ridge S. at Belmont Park. No hostage to a pokey pace scenario here, the Buff Bradley pupil instead took closer order, launched an early move, and then outkicked Takeover Target (Harlan’s Holiday) in this local prep for the July 4 Belmont Derby Invitational (G1). Divisidero got off to a troubled start and lagged six lengths behind pacesetter Made in Detroit (Arch) through an opening quarter in :25 on the firm inner turf. His regular rider Rafael Hernandez sensed the pedestrian tempo, however, and the 2-1 chance cut the deficit to three lengths through splits of :49 2/5 and 1:13. Rounding the far turn, Divisidero closed that gap out wide and drew near the rallying Takeover Target into the stretch. Takeover Target, part of the Chad Brown entry favored at 4-5, forged ahead briefly. But despite his wide trip, and altered running style, Divisidero had still more up his sleeve. The Churchill Downs shipper found yet another gear to force his neck in front in a final time of 1:48 for 1 1/8 miles.

“Out of the gate, my horse stumbled real bad,” Hernandez said. “I lost my
left iron. In the turn he was a little bit wide. On the backside I had to make a
move because he’s not used to being like that, he always comes from behind. But
there was no pace at all so I had to make a move and let him run a little bit
and then set the pace. When turning for home, I just let him run. He knows what
to do.”

“(Rafael) did a great job getting him into position once he realized the pace
was pretty slow up front,” Bradley said. “So he got him up there and then sat on
him. Coming down the lane, we felt pretty good. We know (Divisidero will) run a
horse down.”

Another 1 1/4 lengths back in third came the other half of the Brown entry,
Startup Nation (Temple City), who had not raced since his 11th in the Breeders’
Cup Juvenile Turf (G1). Made in Detroit tired to fifth in the seven-horse field.

Divisidero paid $6.30 while increasing his own bankroll to $301,000 from his
4-3-0-1 line. His only loss was a troubled third in his stakes debut in the
March 7 Palm Beach (G3), one month to the day after his eye-catching premiere.
The May 7 foal has no shortage of upside.

“(The Belmont Derby has) been our plan all along,” Bradley said. “So we hope
we can come back and make some noise on July 4th.”

Bred by Hinkle Farms in Kentucky, Divisidero sold for $250,000 as a yearling
at Keeneland September. He is a full brother to Grade 3-placed Kitten’s Kid.
Their dam, Madame du Lac (Lemon Drop Kid), is an unraced half-sister to Chilean
Group 2 winner Genial Boy (Songandaprayer). This is the family of multiple Group
2 hero Zindabad (Shirley Heights), with supersire Northern Dancer and Halo at a
further remove.

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