Trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. enjoyed a productive morning at Gulfstream Park’s Palm Meadows training center Sunday, as his Pegasus World Cup stars, Skippylongstocking and White Abarrio, put in smooth workouts ahead of their next starts. The duo, which finished 1-2 in the $3 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational (G1) on Jan. 24, demonstrated their readiness for more top-level action in 2026.
Daniel Alonso’s Skippylongstocking, who edged out his multiple Grade 1-winning stablemate by one and three-quarter lengths in the 1 1/8-mile Pegasus, covered three furlongs in 37.20 seconds. Joseph confirmed that the 7-year-old son of Exaggerator is now targeting the Essex Handicap (G3) at Oaklawn Park next Saturday, carrying the highweight of 124 pounds, well above his rivals. Micah Husbands will have the mount for the 1 1/8-mile contest for older horses.
“He worked really well this morning,” Joseph said. “He’s ready for Oaklawn.” Skippylongstocking was originally slated for the March 7 Santa Anita Handicap (G1), but the trip was canceled after the horse acted up during boarding.
Meanwhile, White Abarrio, the 2025 Pegasus World Cup winner who nearly defended his title earlier this year, breezed three furlongs in 35.36 seconds in company with another horse. Owned by C2 Racing Stable LLC, Gary Barber, and La Milagrosa Stable LLC, the 7-year-old son of Race Day boasts career earnings of $7.7 million, including victories in the 2022 Curlin Florida Derby (G1) and 2023 Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1). Joseph is aiming him at the $1.25 million Oaklawn Handicap (G1) on April 18.
“He went really good. I’m happy with where we’re at,” Joseph said. “We’ll try the Oaklawn Handicap next.”
Joseph’s focus isn’t only on his veteran stars. His promising 3-year-old, Bravaro, is being prepped for the Wood Memorial (G2) at Aqueduct on April 4. A New York-bred son of Upstart, Bravaro won his maiden at first asking and later captured the Sleepy Hollow Stakes. After a disrupted start in the Feb. 28 Coolmore Fountain of Youth (G2), Joseph is confident the colt can rebound.
“Bravaro got knocked around at the start and had to be taken up on the first turn. He was in a compromised trip, but in perspective to where the winner came from, it wasn’t a terrible spot. Hopefully, he bounces back in his next start,” Joseph said.
Stablemate Solitude Dude, who suffered his first loss in the 1 1/16-mile Fountain of Youth, will be cut back to sprint distances, with future targets including the Woody Stephens and Allen Jerkens later in the summer.
“The plan is to run him once before the summer, just figuring out the right spot,” Joseph said.
The morning breezes at Palm Meadows highlighted Joseph’s careful planning as he balances the campaigns of both his seasoned Grade 1 stars and emerging 3-year-old talent, setting the stage for an exciting spring racing season.
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