Last term's GII American Turf S. hero Divisdero (Kitten's Joy) is scheduled to make his return to the races Saturday at Gulfstream in the GIII Canadian Turf S. One of the top turf sophomores last term, the Gunpowder Farms runner has been off since finishing a disappointing seventh in the GI Belmont Derby July 4.
“He went straight from the racetrack right to the pasture,” trainer Buff Bradley said. “He needed some time to mature. He checked out good at the clinic. We felt like there wasn't a whole lot left in the 3-year-old division for him. He filled out and gained some weight and really looked good when he came back to me. He looked like a different horse when he came back to me. He'd gotten time to mature, which I think is the key for these horses turning from three to four and facing older horses.”
A first-out graduate over this course last February, the bay finished third in the GIII Palm Beach S. in Hallandale a month later and came flying late to score an impressive victory in the Churchill's American Turf on Derby day May 2. He was equally impressive last out in winning Belmont's Pennine Ridge May 30 prior to his lackluster effort in the Belmont Derby.
“That was the thing with us bringing him back here to get back on the turf course where he started and ran well on,” Bradley said. “He broke his maiden in his first race and it looked like he was going to win the stake race in his second, but he just got in trouble.”
Divisidero has been working well in preparation for his return, most recently breezing four furlongs over the Gulfstream main track in :47.87 Feb. 20.
“He's been breezing well for his comeback and has been doing everything right,” Bradley remarked.
Click here for Steve Sherack's update on Divisidero earlier this month.
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