With Plans Changed, White Abarrio Works for JC Gold Cup

After originally planning a trip out west to compete in the Pacific Classic Stakes (G1) at Del Mar Aug. 30, trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. will keep White Abarrio at his summer home of Saratoga Race Course for the $1 million Jockey Club Gold Cup Stakes (G1) Aug. 31. The change in plans was first reported by Thoroughbred Daily News' Tim Wilkin Aug. 20. The next morning, the 6-year-old son of Race Day put in his final major workout while breezing four furlongs in :48.22 outside of company. "I saw exactly what I wanted to see," Joseph said of the Aug. 21 work. "I'm extremely happy with the horse. I feel like we finally got him on the line that we need him to be. Hopefully, he stays like this into the race. There's no reason that the horse should not run as close or as fast as he's ever run in his life before." Joseph said the change in plans was a show of confidence in the way the 2023 Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) winner has stepped forward since finishing fourth in the Aug. 2 Whitney Stakes (G1) at the Spa. "We feel like when he's good, he's as good as any," Joseph said. "That's what he's showing us right now, that he's ready to run really well. We feel like his really good races are fast enough to win (the Jockey Club Gold Cup)." Jockey Ricardo Santana Jr. was aboard for Thursday's breeze as the horse's regular rider, Irad Ortiz Jr., is slated to be aboard Mindframe in the 1 1/4-mile race. Joseph said current arrangements are for Santana to ride White Abarrio in the race should none of the trainer's other regular riders become available. In addition to Mindframe, White Abarrio is expected to face a rematch with the top two Whitney finishers: Sierra Leone and Highland Falls. Beaten four lengths in the Whitney, Joseph called the race a credible effort given White Abarrio's wide trip and perhaps not entering the race at his best. "We know we need to find four lengths," Joseph said. "We think he's a lot better than last time, a lot better. There's no doubt about it." White Abarrio has raced twice at the classic distance in his career with two completely different results. Facing the challenge as a 3-year-old, he finished a distant 16th in the Kentucky Derby (G1). In the fall of his 4-year-old season, he was a dominant force to win the Breeders' Cup Classic. "As he's got older, distance has probably been better for him," Joseph Jr. said. Having earned $7,091,920 throughout his career, White Abarrio races for C2 Racing Stable, Gary Barber, and La Milagrosa Stable.