C2 Racing Stable and La Milagrosa Stable's White Abarrio breezed an easy five furlongs Sunday at Gulfstream Park, giving trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. confidence that the son of Race Day will be at his best for the $1 million Curlin Florida Derby (G1) in two weeks.
“Two weeks out, so far, so good. Two weeks is a long time with horses, but as far as everything has gone preparation-wise, I'm very happy with how things have gone,” Joseph said.
White Abarrio, who breezed in company for his fourth workout since capturing the Feb. 5 Holy Bull (G3), was timed in 1:00.42, the fourth fastest clocking of 17 recorded at the distance.
“Today was more of an easier breeze with a good finish and a good gallop-out,” Joseph said. “Everything went to plan. He sat off a workmate; he relaxed well. I had his last quarter in :23, so it was a good finish.”
Tyler Gaffalione was aboard for the breeze.
White Abarrio is coming off a 4 ½-length romp in the Holy Bull, in which Simplification finished second before coming back to capture the March 5 Fasig-Tipton Fountain of Youth (G2) impressively.
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.
Joseph reported that Slam Dunk Racing, Madaket Stables, Wonder Stables, and Michael Nentwig's Drain the Clock has settled in well at Meydan ahead of his scheduled start in the $2 million Golden Shaheen on Saturday's Dubai World Cup Day card.
“He had a little blow-out over there this morning and went nice and cooled out well,” said Joseph, who has opted not to travel to Dubai. “He's showing a lot of energy. We're happy where he's at. Hopefully, he has a good week. I think he's going to run a very big race.”
The 4-year-old son of MacLean's Music captured the Swale (G3) at Gulfstream, the Bay Shore (G3) at Aqueduct and the Woody Stephens (G1) at Belmont Park during his 3-year-old campaign that was closed out with a six-furlong optional claiming allowance victory in 1:08.62 Dec. 10. Drain the Clock was upset by Miles Ahead in a swiftly run Gulfstream Park Sprint Feb. 19.
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