Joseph opts for Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile for White Abarrio

Trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. confirmed Thursday that White Abarrio will be pointed to the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile instead of the $6 Million Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) Nov. 1 at Del Mar.

The 6-year-old son of Race Day, who captured the 2023 Breeders’ Cup Classic at Santa Anita, has returned to his home base at Gulfstream Park, where he is scheduled to breeze next week for the first time since experiencing a disastrous trip in the 1 1/4-mile Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1) on Aug. 31 at Saratoga.

“Obviously, things didn’t go the way we wanted in the Jockey Club. We’re going to regroup in the Mile,” Joseph said. “The Mile is probably going to come up the lesser spot. He’s already won the Classic. If we can add the Mile to his resume, that would be a good addition.”

White Abarrio, who won his fourth career Grade 1 stakes in the $3 million Pegasus World Cup at Gulfstream on Jan. 25, was forced into Mindframe in a dramatic incident shortly after the start of the Jockey Club Gold Cup. Jockey Edgard Zayas lost an iron and Irad Ortiz Jr. was unseated from Mindframe and momentarily landed on White Abarrio’s back before hitting the track. White Abarrio went on to finish fourth after Zayas somehow regained his balance and iron. 

“Right now, I think he’ll train up to the Mile,” said Joseph, who saddled White Abarrio for a victory in the 2022 Florida Derby (G1) at Gulfstream.