ABARRIO WHITE
White Abarrio had one of the most turbulent careers of any horse. He placed 16th in the Kentucky Derby (G1) after winning the Holy Bull Stakes (G3) and Florida Derby (G1) at the age of three. After finishing in eighth place at the 2023 Pegasus World Cup (G1), he lost his next four races.
In the Pegasus World Cup Invitational, White Abarrio aims to make it back to the winner’s circle
Before being transferred from trainer Saffie Joseph, Jr. to Rick Dutrow, who oversaw an incredible turnaround, he won an optional claimer. Before winning the Whitney Stakes (G1) and Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1), two of the nation’s most coveted races, he finished third in the Met Mile (G1). White Abarrio, if not for Cody’s Wish’s fantastic season would have been 2023 Horse of the Year.
He then had a sharp decline in form, finishing tenth in the Saudi Cup (G1) and seventh in the Met Mile. After the barn change, he won and finished second after being given back to Joseph. After working out for five furlongs in 1:00.39 on January 9 at Gulfstream Park, White Abarrio’s preferred track, Joseph is optimistic about his chances of winning the Pegasus. On January 16, he followed that practice with a 4-furlong breeze in 48.13. He has two stakes wins and is a certified horse on the track there (6-for-8). 0.39 White Abarrio’s favorite track, Gulfstream Park, on January 9. On January 16, he followed that practice with a 4-furlong breeze in 48.13. He has two stakes wins and is a certified horse on the track there (6-for-8).
After the Jan. 9 session, Joseph remarked, “I thought it was a phenomenal work, the best I’ve ever seen him work in the times I’ve had him.” Joseph remarked, “I thought it was a very good work,” following his most recent project. We kept him under control this time because he accomplished a lot last week. We were rather pleased with it. Advice for betting: likes the track, trains hard, and has a lot of back class. Win a contender.
Post position: 4
Odds: 3-1
Jockey: Irad Ortiz, Jr.
Trainer: Saffie Joseph, Jr.
Owners: C 2 Racing Stable, Prince Faisal bin Khaled bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, Antonio Pagano
Career record: 19-8-2-3
Career earnings: $5,241,850
Last race: Mr. Prospector Stakes (G3), Dec. 28, 2nd
Top Equibase speed figure: 122
Pedigree: Race Day-Catching Diamonds, by Into Mischief
Age: 6
Color: Gray/roan
Running style: Stalker/frontrunner
Notes: The name White Abarrio is a combination of the color of his coat and the town of Abarrio in Spain. According to Equibase figures, Joseph has earned around $60 million and won over 1,200 times in his career. In 2009, at age 22, the third-generation horseman trained Barbados Triple Crown hero Areutalkintome … In the Pegasus, Joseph also possesses Skippylongstocking, a horse that is 0-for-2.
