White Abarrio took a significant step toward his return to the spotlight on Sunday morning, completing a steady three-furlong workout that keeps the reigning champion firmly on track for the Gufstream Park Pegasus World Cup later this month.
The seven-year-old, raced by C2 Racing Stable, Gary Barber and La Milagrosa Stable, covered the distance in 40.23 seconds over a fast main track. It was his first published work since mid-December and a clear signal that preparations are gathering momentum after a lengthy break from competition.
White Abarrio has not been seen in a race since a luckless fourth in the Jockey Club Gold Cup at Saratoga in late August, but his connections remain quietly confident as the Jan. 24 feature approaches.
Trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. stressed that the session was more about refinement than raw speed. Adjustments made in recent weeks were the priority, and the horse responded as hoped. Another solid week would set up a more demanding piece of work, pencilled in as his key preparation.
The multiple Grade 1 winner is already a standout in the modern history of the race. Twelve months ago, he delivered a dominant performance to land the Pegasus by 6¼ lengths, the widest winning margin since the contest’s inception. That effort pushed his career earnings beyond the $7 million mark and confirmed his status among the elite older horses in training.
Pegasus World Cup preparations remain on schedule
White Abarrio had originally been slated to return in late December, but his connections opted to give him additional time rather than rush him back. Joseph explained that patience was the sensible course, especially with stablemate Knightsbridge emerging as a strong performer over the same period.
Knightsbridge went on to record an emphatic front-running success in his most recent outing, extending an impressive comeback following a long absence. That result underlined the depth of the yard and allowed White Abarrio’s camp to focus solely on peaking for the main target.
Elsewhere on the Gulfstream training grounds, several other high-profile performers continued their own preparations for marquee events on the Pegasus programme.
At Palm Meadows, the track’s satellite facility in Palm Beach County, Live Oak Plantation’s And One More Time produced a sharp half-mile move in 47.65 seconds, the fastest of the morning. The Grade 1 winner, trained by Hall of Famer Mark Casse, is being aimed at the Pegasus World Cup Filly & Mare Turf after a narrow defeat in the Tropical Park Oaks last month.
Another horse with major ambitions is Test Score, the Amerman Racing homebred trained by Graham Motion. The Grade 1-winning colt breezed five furlongs in 1:01.40 on the turf, continuing his build-up toward the Pegasus World Cup Turf. He was last seen finishing a close third in the Hollywood Derby at Del Mar, a run that suggested he remains at the top of his game.
Back at Gulfstream Park, the wider racing programme later in the week is set to feature a mix of returning names and emerging talent across sprint and mile contests. Several fillies and mares are scheduled to resume after breaks, while lightly raced runners look to establish themselves early in the season.
For White Abarrio, however, the focus is singular. With his training progressing smoothly and confidence growing with each outing, all signs point toward a bold attempt to defend his crown and add another chapter to an already distinguished career.
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