Grade 1 Florida Derby winner White Abarrio has been transferred from the barn of trainer Saffie Joseph, Jr. to that of the recently-returned Rick Dutrow, so that his connections can target races like the Grade 1 Metropolitan Handicap on Belmont Stakes day.
Owners Clint and Mark Cornett of the C2 Racing Stable announced the news via Twitter on Tuesday, stating that despite having the “utmost confidence and trust” in Joseph, a change was necessary due to multiple jurisdictions' lack of answers as to whether the trainer's entries and nominations would be accepted.
Last week, the New York Racing Association reported that Joseph did not plan to run horses at NYRA tracks while he remains under investigation.
Joseph saw his horses scratched from races at Churchill Downs on Kentucky Derby week by the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission following two sudden deaths of horses from his barn during or after racing events at the track. Subsequently, Churchill Downs announced it had banned Joseph from its property. No ruling has been issued against Joseph by the commission, though a spokeswoman told the Paulick Report on May 10 that the investigation into Joseph's operation continues.
In media interviews after the track's announcement, Joseph expressed frustration over the situation, characterizing the track's actions against him as an attempt to distract from a broader issue with equine fatalities there. A total of seven horses died at the racetrack in the span of 10 days.
NEWS: WHITE ABARRIO. Uncertainty forces trainer change for The Metropolitan Mile (G1) on June 10, 2023 for @C2RacingStable. pic.twitter.com/bqQTR9dGvI
— C2 Racing Stable (@C2RacingStable) May 23, 2023
The post ‘Lack Of Answers’: White Abarrio Transferred From Saffie Joseph To Rick Dutrow For Remainder Of 2023 appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.
