White Abarrio will not seek repeat in Breeders’ Cup Classic

White Abarrio, who has not raced since he finished fifth June 8 in the Grade 1 Met Mile, will not be back in time to defend his 2023 victory in the Breeders’ Cup Classic, trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. confirmed Wednesday.

“No, he’s not going there,” Joseph said in a text message to Horse Racing Nation.

Joseph echoed what co-owner Mark Cornett of C2 Racing Stable told Thoroughbred Daily News, which first reported the story.

“The Breeders’ Cup Classic is not in our plans,” Cornett told TDN’s Bill Finley, adding, “We want to get a good race in him off this layoff.”

DeRosa: Breeders’ Cup Classic 2025 fair odds.

Cornett said he will consider racing White Abarrio next at Gulfstream Park, perhaps in the Harlan’s Holiday (G3) on Dec. 21 or the Pegasus World Cup Invitational (G1) on Jan. 25.

White Abarrio has not raced yet in this second stint with Joseph, his original trainer. He was transferred to Rick Dutrow 16 months ago when Joseph was temporarily suspended after two of his horses died at Churchill Downs. Joseph was cleared, but not before the move to Dutrow, for whom White Abarrio won the Whitney (G1) at Saratoga and the Breeders’ Cup Classic at Santa Anita.

A 10th-place finish in the Saudi Cup (G1) and then the Met Mile disappointment led to White Abarrio being sent back to Joseph, who guided the son of Race Day to 2022 victories in the Holy Bull (G3) and Florida Derby (G1).

Cornett told TDN there was nothing physically wrong with White Abarrio, who “is scheduled to breeze either Friday or Monday in Saratoga.”

If White Abarrio looks good in his comeback race, Cornett told TDN a full 6-year-old campaign might be expected before a stallion career would start in 2026.