Change of plan: White Abarrio will not go next week in Nerud

Back in the hands of trainer Saffie Joseph Jr., reigning Breeders’ Cup Classic winner White Abarrio had his return to the racetrack postponed Saturday.

“No target yet (for an) exact race,” Joseph said in a text message to Horse Racing Nation. “Saratoga, he will run.”

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Joseph confirmed the Daily Racing Form report that White Abarrio would not race as expected next Saturday in the Grade 2 John A. Nerud Stakes in the Belmont at the Big A meet.

“We wanted to give him a little more time, go through him head to toe and regroup,” Joseph told DRF’s David Grening.

White Abarrio began his career with Joseph and won the 2022 Florida Derby (G1). The following year he was transferred by lead owner C2 Racing Stable to trainer Rick Dutrow when Joseph faced roadblocks following the deaths of two horses at Churchill Downs.

After winning the Breeders’ Cup Classic to highlight Dutrow’s comeback from a disputed, 10-year ban in New York, the 5-year-old son of Race Day finished 10th in the Saudi Derby (G1) and then fifth in this month’s Met Mile (G1) on the Belmont Stakes undercard at Saratoga.

Now owned by C2, Prince Faisal and Antonio Pagnano, White Abarrio was transferred back to Joseph the day after the Met Mile. He has not had a timed workout since.