Divisidero Didn’t Give Up in the G3 Arlington Handicap

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, IL –  Divisidero dominated Saturday’s Grade 3, $100,000 Arlington Handicap at Arlington Park. This was the first win for the six-year-old son of Kitten’s Joy since his win in the Woodford Reserve Turf Classic Stakes in May of 2017.

Roman Approval was the early leader and was followed by the duo of Just Howard and Copass Zone with the morning-line favorite Synchrony sitting not far behind stalking just off of the pace. The early fractions were a comfortable :23.99 and 48.83.  As they came into the final turn, Synchrony finally decided to make his move as he pressured the leaders, but it was the late running Divisidero, along with Revved Up, who really put the pressure on. As they hit the top of the stretch Divisidero had a half-length lead on Revved Up and was more than a length ahead of Synchrony. Running four-wide down the stretch, Divisidero was too good to catch finishing with a final time of 1:54.03. Revved Up kept the engines going and held off Synchrony for second. Tizzarunner rallied for fourth.

“It has certainly been an experience, one I am grateful for the opportunity to have had,” said trainer Rubley. “It’s very exciting, I can’t tell you how excited we all are. I think this horse is versatile. He can run a mile, and I was confident he could get this mile-and-three-sixteenths. Our options are open.”

Jockey Jevian Toledo said of Divisidero, “He gave me everything he had. I think he needed the couple of races off the layoff. Kelly did a great job to get him ready for this race, and we got the job done.”

Divisidero returned $7.00 to win, $5.00 to place, and $3.00 to show. Revved Up brought back $10.20 to place and $5.00 to show, while Synchrony paid $2.40 to show.