C2 Racing Stable LLC and La Milagrosa Stable LLC's White Abarrio returned to the Gulfstream Park worktab Sunday morning with a brilliant three-furlong breeze in preparation for a scheduled start in the May 7 Kentucky Derby (G1).
Click here to watch a video of the workout.
“The way he worked today gives me a lot of confidence – the way he came back and the way he worked first work back – knowing we have three weeks to go,” trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. said. “I think we're in a good position. Three weeks is long time, but I like where we're at.”
White Abarrio was timed in :34.55, the fastest of 41 workouts recorded at the distance, for his first breeze since capturing the Curlin Florida Derby (G1) April 2 at Gulfstream Park.
“Visually, it was as impressive as his time. Sometimes he can work quick and not look as impressive, but today, it was an easy work in a quick time,” Joseph said.
Junior Alvarado was aboard for the eye-catching breeze that included a 1:00 2/5 five-furlong gallop-out. Tyler Gaffalione, who was aboard for the Florida Derby, has the Kentucky Derby mount.
“When you work those nice horses, they will fool you. They will go fast when you definitely don't think you're going that fast. He was just skipping over the ground. It was like he wasn't even touching the ground,” Alvarado said. “That was really nothing for him. When he got back to the barn, he wasn't blowing like he was tired or anything at all.”
The gray son of Race Day will complete his serious preparation for the Derby at Gulfstream before shipping to Churchill Downs.
“Next week, he'll probably go five-eighths. His last work, I haven't decided what he'll do yet. We'll play it by ear,” Joseph said.
White Abarrio was purchased by his current connections after debuting at Gulfstream Sept. 24 with a 6 ¾-length triumph. He went on to win an optional claiming allowance at Gulfstream by four lengths five weeks later. White Abarrio concluded his 2021 campaign with a third-place finish in the Nov. 27 Kentucky Jockey Club (G2) at Churchill Downs behind Smile Happy and Classic Causeway. He made an auspicious 3-year-old debut at Gulfstream Feb. 5, capturing the Holy Bull (G3) by 4 ½ lengths ahead of Simplification, who went on the win March 5 Fasig-Tipton Fountain of Youth (G2) in White Abarrio's absence. The Joseph trainee rallied from off the pace to defeat Charge It by 1 ¼ lengths in the Florida Derby.
The post White Abarrio Impresses With Eye-Catching Breeze At Gulfstream appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.
