White Abarrio, winner of the Holy Bull Stakes (G2) last month, continued to train sharply for a scheduled start in the $1 million Curlin Florida Derby (G1), breezing five furlongs Sunday morning at Gulfstream Park in the fastest clocking recorded at the distance.
C2 Racing Stable LLC and Milagrosa Stable LLC's 3-year-old son of Race Day was timed in :59.49 under jockey Tyler Gaffalione, quickest of 15 timed moves at the distance, in preparation for Gulfstream's signature Triple Crown prep.
“He galloped out in 1:12. It was a good solid work,” trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. said. “He'll probably comeback next week at five-eighths in company.”
Sunday's breeze was his third workout since his dominating victory in the Feb. 5 Holy Bull (G3) at Gulfstream in his 2022 debut. Simplification, who finished second in the Holy Bull, came back to romp to a 3 ½-length victory in the March 5 Fountain of Youth (G2).
“No second thoughts about (skipping the Fountain of Youth) at all. Going into the Holy Bull he had missed a couple of works, so he kind of ran as a fresh horse, which can take a toll on them,” Joseph said. “Since the Holy Bull, he's shown everything you would want a horse to show. He's going in the right direction – how you would want a 3-year-old to go this time of year.”
White Abarrio debuted with an impressive 6 ¾-length victory at Gulfstream Sept. 24 before being purchased privately by his current connections, for whom he scored a four-length optional claiming allowance victory Oct. 29. He concluded his juvenile campaign with a third-place finish behind Smile Happy and Classic Causeway in the Nov. 27 Kentucky Jockey Club (G2) at Churchill Downs.
The post White Abarrio Fires Bullet In Florida Derby Tune-Up appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.
