Champion Main Sequence Returns in $200,000 Mac Diarmida Stakes

Tabbed as the morning line favorite at odds of 6-5, Main Sequence will try to remain undefeated in North America after going four-for-four last season, culminating in a win in the Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1) that secured him the Eclipse Awards for champion turf horse and older male. Bred and owned by Flaxman Holdings and trained by Graham Motion, the six-year-old gelding will be reunited with regular jockey Rajiv Maragh who had to sit out the Breeders’ Cup with an injury. They will break from the rail.

Twilight Eclipse trying to defend his title

Twilight Eclipse, the winner of the 2014 edition of the Mac Diarmida (G2), is the second choice at 2-1 on the morning line for trainer Tom Albertrani. A six-year-old gelded son of Purim, he is a six-time career winner and was last seen finishing third to Main Sequence in the Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1) at odds of 19-1. He has been training steadily for his return and will have Javier Castellano aboard from post position six.

Divine Oath looms a consistent threat

Also in the field at morning line odds of 7-2 is Divine Oath for trainer Todd Pletcher. A four-year-old son of Broken Vow, he has won five of his nine career starts and is a perfect three-for-three on the Gulfstream Park lawn. He won the William L. McKnight (G3) last time out and also won the first two starts of his career in Florida. He will get a jockey change to John Velazquez and they will break from post position seven.