White Abarrio Works for Derby at End of Gulfstream Card

Come hell or high water, White Abarrio  got his final work in April 30 for the May 7 Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1).

The Saffie Joseph Jr.-trained Race Day  colt had the work delayed from morning training hours due to heavy rain in the area surrounding Gulfstream Park in South Florida, but was able to work Saturday evening toward the end of the racing card. Ranked third on the Kentucky Derby Leaderboard with 122 points, he is scheduled to ship May 1 to Churchill Downs.

Winner of the April 2 Curlin Florida Derby Presented by Hill 'n' Dale Farms at Xalapa (G1) and Feb. 5 Holy Bull Stakes (G3) for owners C2 Racing Stable and La Milagrosa Stable, White Abarrio was clocked going four furlongs in :48.28 between race 10 and race 11 at Gulfstream. He galloped out six furlongs in 1:12.38 under encouragement and seven furlongs in 1:25.15.

"The weather was so bad last night; thankfully Gulfstream was able to accommodate us and the track did a great job," Joseph said. "It was very important to get this work in; it was his last work. We weren't looking for overly too much. We had him in :47 4/5 but it was what he did after. I think that's the strongest he's galloped out since I've had him. He worked as good as we wanted him to work."

Joseph initially decided to postpone the breeze until Sunday morning but called an audible later after the rain subsided and the racetrack dried out under mostly sunny skies during the afternoon.

Exercise rider Vincente Gudiel was aboard for White Abarrio's third workout at Gulfstream since his 1 1/4-length victory over fellow Kentucky Derby contender Charge It  in the Florida Derby. The gray or roan colt broke off at the three-eighths pole and posted fractions of :12.66 and :24.24.

"I'm so appreciative of Gulfstream Park for helping us out and all the track crew for a great job. I can't thank them enough," said Joseph.

Joseph faced more serious challenges while preparing White Abarrio for his victories in the Holy Bull, before which he missed two workouts due to illness, and the Florida Derby, for which his final breeze was delayed three days due to a slight fever.

"It's a competitive Derby but we're thankful for where we're at, and we think we're coming in with a horse that's very competitive," he said.