C2 Stable LLC and La Milagrosa Stable LLC's White Abarrio, who bypassed Saturday's $400,000 Fasig-Tipton Fountain of Youth (G2), breezed a strong four furlongs in 47.12 seconds Sunday morning at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, Fla., in preparation for a scheduled start in the $1 million Curlin Florida Derby (G1) April 2.
The 3-year-old son of Race Day's workout, the second since capturing the Feb. 5 Holy Bull (G3) by 4 ½ lengths, was the second-fastest move of 125 recorded at the distance.
“He worked really well second work back. We were looking for a little bit more and we emphasized galloping out because we're looking to build up his stamina a bit more,” trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. said. “The gallop-out was as good as the work.”
White Abarrio, who won his first two starts before concluding his 2021 campaign with a third-place finish behind Smile Happy in the Kentucky Jockey Club (G2), led throughout the mile Holy Bull, in which Simplification finished second. The Antonio Sano-trained runner-up came back to capture Saturday's Fountain of Youth by 3 ½ lengths.
“I'm a big believer in form lines as far as horses that you beat coming back to win. To see Sano's horse come back and run like that was a big result for us,” Joseph said. “Full credit to Sano for having his horse ready to run like that.”
Joseph said White Abarrio is scheduled to breeze five furlongs for his next two workouts before returning to a half-mile in preparation for the 1 1/8-mile Curlin Florida Derby.
Joseph reported that A.P.'s Secret exited his troubled seventh in the Fountain of Youth in good order.
“I'm going to give him one more chance. I believe in the horse. I truly believe he's that kind of horse,” said Joseph, who mentioned the April 9 Wood Memorial (G2) at Aqueduct as the most likely target for the son of Cupid.
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