Divisidero rallied to beat Takeover Target by a neck Saturday in the $200,000 Pennine Ridge Stakes for 3-year-olds on the turf at Belmont Park.
After an awkward start when he brushed the gate, the colt trained by Buff Bradley settled into sixth before launching a five-wide bid turning for home. Divisidero shaded Takeover Target for his third win in four starts, all on grass.
The first two finishers receive automatic invitations to the $1.25 million Belmont Derby.
''That has been our plan all along,'' Bradley said. ''We hope to come back and make some noise on July 4th.''
Rafael Hernandez was aboard for the 1-1/8 miles in 1:48.03 over the firm course.
Takeover Target and third-place finisher Startup Nation, both trained by Chad Brown, were coupled as the 4-5 favorites.
Brown said both ran well enough to merit a rematch with Divisidero in the Belmont Derby
''Both deserve a shot in that race based on what I saw today,'' Brown said.
Divisidero paid $6.30, $2.70 and $2.90. The entry returned $2.30 and $2.20.
