Beyond White Abarrio: Dutrow's comeback picks up momentum

New York

When Rick Dutrow Jr. won the Whitney Stakes at Saratoga and then the Breeders' Cup Classic with White Abarrio, the conversation shifted from his much-discussed 10-year suspension to his prowess as a Thoroughbred trainer.

The Grade 1 victories by White Abarrio helped Dutrow increase the size and quality of his barn and his outlook moving ahead.

“I have like 49 or 50 horses,” Dutrow told Horse Racing Nation in the paddock at Aqueduct on Saturday. “We're actually in four different barns right now throughout the country. I feel good. I feel good.”

He also shared an update on White Abarrio and what the horse means to him.

“He's good. He's at Santa Anita, supposed to be there till early February and then he flies to Saudi. That's his next start out there in the Saudi Cup (on Feb. 24). If he wins (the $20 million Group 1 race), I won't want to leave that winner's circle ever. If somebody shoots me then I’m OK to die right there.”

Dutrow also won the Red Smith (G2) and the Nashua, giving him four stakes victories since his return. For the year, which began in May for him, he has 23 victories from 108 starters and earnings of $5.3 million. At the current Aqueduct meeting, he has a record of 28: 8-6-2, which calculates to a 29 percent win rate.

Dutrow’s comeback continued to gain momentum at the Big A when he won a maiden special weight against a salty field of eight 2-year-olds with El Capi. The son of Maclean’s Music, who was a $220,000 purchase at Ocala in March, burst from the gate, was ahead by 4 1/2 lengths after a quarter-mile and drew off to win by more than nine. He earned the second highest TimeformUS Speed Figure of the day and was faster than the winners of the three stakes other than the Cigar Mile] (G2).

“I was standing and watching and that was a pleasant surprise, but it was fun watching him run," Dutrow said. "I'm happy for these people (the ownership group of P and G Stable). They flew in today from Florida to watch him run, and they hung in there after a rocky road with one or two of their other horses. But man, he (Guanare, a winner at Aqueduct on Thursday) ran big for them the other day, and this horse ran huge in his first start breaking from the rail, which is thrilling, thrilling stuff, man.”

After thanking Dutrow for the interview he gave one of his trademark responses, “OK, babe.”