White Abarrio Continues Preparations for Florida Derby

Holy Bull Stakes (G3) winner White Abarrio  continued to train sharply for a scheduled start in the April 2 $1 million Curlin Florida Derby (G1), breezing five furlongs at Gulfstream Park March 13 in the fastest clocking recorded at the distance.

C2 Racing Stable and La Milagrosa Stable's 3-year-old son of Race Day  was timed in :59.49 under jockey Tyler Gaffalione in preparation for Gulfstream's signature Triple Crown prep.

"He galloped out in 1:12. It was a good solid work," trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. said. "He'll probably come back next week at five-eighths in company."

Sunday's breeze was his third workout since his dominating victory in the Feb. 5 Holy Bull at Gulfstream in his 2022 debut. Simplification , who finished second in the Holy Bull, came back to romp to a 3 1/2-length victory in the March 5 Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2).

"No second thoughts about (skipping the Fountain of Youth) at all. Going into the Holy Bull he had missed a couple of works, so he kind of ran as a fresh horse, which can take a toll on them," Joseph said. "Since the Holy Bull, he's shown everything you would want a horse to show. He's going in the right direction—how you would want a 3-year-old to go this time of year."

White Abarrio debuted with an impressive 6 3/4-length victory at Gulfstream Sept. 24 before being purchased privately by his current connections, for whom he scored a four-length optional claiming allowance victory Oct. 29. He concluded his juvenile campaign with a third-place finish behind Smile Happy  and Classic Causeway  in the Nov. 27 Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes (G2) at Churchill Downs.

Drain the Clock Off to Dubai Following Gulfstream Breeze

Drain the Clock  breezed a half-mile in :46.81 March 13 at Gulfstream Park in the grade 1 winner's last workout before shipping to Dubai for the $1.5 million Al Quoz Sprint (G1) on the March 26 Dubai World Cup Day card. 

"He's in really good form," trainer Saffie Joseph, Jr. said. "If all goes well, he's going to have a really good chance."

Owned by Slam Dunk Racing, Madaket Stables, Wonder Stables, and Michael Nentwig, Drain the Clock turned in the fastest of 65 workouts listed at the four-furlong distance.

"Today was his final workout before Dubai. He's going to ship to Palm Meadows this afternoon, and tomorrow he's going to leave for Dubai," Joseph said.

The 4-year-old son of MacLean's Music   captured the Claiborne Farm Swale Stakes (G3) at Gulfstream, the Bay Shore Stakes (G3) at Aqueduct Racetrack and the Woody Stephens Stakes Presented by Nassau County Industrial Development Agency (G1) at Belmont Park during his 3-year-old campaign that was closed out with a six-furlong optional claiming allowance victory in 1:08.62 Dec. 10. Drain the Clock was upset by Miles Ahead  in the swiftly run Feb. 19 Gulfstream Park Sprint Stakes.