White Abarrio back on work tab after missing drill

Less than a week after missing a scheduled workout, White Abarrio was exercised five furlongs in 1:01.60 on Monday at Santa Anita, resuming preparation for the Breeders’ Cup Classic at the Southern California track on Nov. 4.

The workout was the first for White Abarrio since he zipped five furlongs in 1:00.80 on Sept. 20 shortly after he was shipped to California from trainer Richard Dutrow Jr.’s New York base.

White Abarrio was scheduled to work last week, but the exercise was canceled after track veterinarians were unsatisfied with White Abarrio’s condition, according to track officials.

:: Get ready for Santa Anita racing with DRF PPs, Clocker Reports, Picks, and more. Shop Now.

White Abarrio was allowed to work Monday and was pronounced on schedule for the BC Classic by Dutrow. Jockey Emily Ellingwood was aboard White Abarrio for the workout. Ellingwood has been exercising White Abarrio on a regular basis in recent weeks.

“It looks like he went good to me,” Dutrow said. “He’s so happy with himself. I like the way he went.”

Without elaborating on last week’s disruption, Dutrow said that noted farrier Ian McKinlay traveled to California and attended to White Abarrio over the weekend. Dutrow said he supported the decision by track veterinarians.

“I went over it with Emily,” Dutrow said. “It was a good call, if there was anything. To be safe, we gave him a day or two to come around. He did.

“He’s ready.”

Owned by C Two Racing Stable and Antonio Pagnano, White Abarrio won the Grade 1 Whitney Stakes at 1 1/8 miles by a dazzling 6 1/4 lengths on Aug. 10 at Saratoga in his final start before the BC Classic.

A 4-year-old colt, White Abarrio has won 6 of 14 starts and earned $1,826,350.

:: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.