BC Dirt Mile: White Abarrio co-owners retain counsel, want investigation into why he was scratched
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The owners of White Abarrio have retained counsel and are requesting a “full and transparent investigation” be conducted into the scratch of White Abarrio from last Saturday’s Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile at Del Mar, according to an e-mail from part owners C2 Racing and Gary Barber.
“We have requested that the Breeders’ Cup, the California Horse Racing Board, and the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club preserve and disclose all relevant documents related to WHITE ABARRIO being scratched,” the statement read. “Until such time as we determine next steps, we will not be answering any questions or making any further comments related to this matter.”
The statement, which was also posted on X, was signed by co-owners C2 Racing and Gary Barber. The name of La Milagrosa Stable, a third listed owner of White Abarrio, was not included in the statement.
White Abarrio, the 2023 Breeders’ Cup Classic winner, was scratched from the Dirt Mile with less than five minutes to post for the race while the horse was warming up on the track under jockey Irad Ortiz Jr.
On Sunday, at the barn, part-owner Mark Cornett, of C2 Racing, and trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. told two reporters that they were not given a reason for the scratch by a veterinarian or Breeders’ Cup official immediately after the horse was scratched. They said they received an e-mail on Sunday morning from the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority on Sunday that read the reason for the scratch was “off left front.”
The three presiding stewards at Del Mar - Kim Sawyer, Luis Jauregui and Grant Baker - scratched White Abarrio after receiving a call from the ontrack veterinarian, Brent Cassady, according to the stewards when interviewed Sunday by Daily Racing Form.
“The horse was scratched with our regular routine,” Sawyer said.
White Abarrio had been under scrutiny from the regulatory veterinarians for several days leading up to the Breeders’ Cup. The owners confirmed that the Breeders’ Cup requested White Abarrio undergo a PET scan, something which several horses were required to get, including Scottish Lassie, who was scratched from the Distaff. There were others who underwent PET scans who were permitted to run.
“He was also examined every day by Breeders’ Cup veterinarians in the week leading up to the race, including on the morning of the race and the veterinarians deemed him fit to race,” the owner’s statement read. “No problems were noted in the paddock pre-race and Jockey Irad Ortiz, Jr. stated that WHITE ABARRIO warmed up “perfectly” on the track. Despite this fact, for reasons that remain unknown, the Breeders’ Cup directed that WHITE ABARRIO be scratched right before the race was set to run.
“To be clear, the health and safety of our equine athletes is always of paramount importance,” the statement continued. “On that point, all parties can agree. If there were any facts or circumstances to support the notion that WHITE ABARRIO was in any way unfit to race, we would wholly support a decision to scratch him. However, in this instance, there is no such evidence. Based on what we know to date, we are very concerned that the decision to scratch WHITE ABARRIO was completely unjustified.”
White Abarrio, a 6-year-old son of Race Day, has compiled a record of 10-2-3 from 24 starts and won Grade 1 stakes at ages 3, 4 and 6. He has earned $7,151,920.
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