White Abarrio, a leading contender for the $6 million Breeders' Cup Classic Nov. 4 at Santa Anita, worked five furlongs in 59.80 seconds Friday at Santa Anita. According to private clocker Gary Young, the 4-year-old Race Day colt went the final quarter mile in 22.80 seconds.
Trained by Richard Dutrow Jr., White Abarrio was originally slated to work Monday but that drill was postponed.
In response to an inquiry from the Paulick Report, California Horse Racing Board spokesman Mike Marten said the workout request was denied by Santa Anita “in consultation with the CHRB's equine medical director and chief official veterinarian.”
It's not the first time veterinarians have stopped the horse from breezing at Santa Anita; White Abarrio shipped to Southern California in mid-September and put in a work Sept. 20, going five furlongs in 1:00.80. The Form reported the following week that Dutrow's request to work him was denied by track veterinarians. He later breezed five furlongs in 1:01.60 on Oct. 2, five furlongs in 1:00.40 on Oct. 9, and five furlongs in 1:01.80 on Oct. 16.
Connections attributed the most recent delay to an issue with White Abarrio's shoes. Noted blacksmith Ian McKinlay flew in Monday and re-shod White Abarrio. He galloped Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday prior to Friday's drill.
Dutrow was in from New York to observe the work, which came under jockey Emily Ellingwood. Dutrow left Santa Anita shortly after the move and was not available for comment. Assistant Chip Dutrow, Rick Dutrow's brother, said they were pleased with the drill.
“He worked great. He cooled out great. We're thrilled,” Chip Dutrow said.
White Abarrio has made two starts for Dutrow after being transferred from trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. He was third in the G1 Metropolitan Handicap going a mile at Belmont Park June 10, then won the G1 Whitney Stakes Aug. 5 at Saratoga. The Whitney is the same 1 ¼-mile distance as the Breeders' Cup Classic.
Dutrow previously won the Breeders' Cup Classic in 2005 with Saint Liam.
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