White Abarrio sharper in work as Pegasus World Cup nears
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HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – White Abarrio took a very important step toward defending his title in the $3 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational on Jan. 24, working four furlongs in 47.88 seconds here Sunday. The work was the most impressive for White Abarrio since he was scratched in the post parade minutes before the start of the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile on Nov 1.
“He needed to get a good work in,” said trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. “He definitely moved well, seemed in good order, and hopefully it will be the right stepping-stone he needs to come back in the Pegasus.”
White Abarrio had not worked for 24 days before breezing three furlongs in an uncharacteristically slow 40.20 here last week. He broke off behind a pair of mates on Sunday, took some dirt on the turn, then finished strongly down the center of the course before easing up after galloping out five furlongs over a tiring track in 1:00.31.
“He’s going to need to come back with one more good work next week, probably five furlongs, because we’re still behind schedule,” said Joseph.
Irad Ortiz Jr. was penciled in to work White Abarrio on Sunday but had to take off, along with all his mounts on the card here later that afternoon, after coming down with the flu. Ortiz guided White Abarrio to his 6 1/4-length triumph in the 2025 Pegasus World Cup as well as to his victory in the 2023 Breeders’ Cup Classic.