White Abarrio: 58 Seconds to Greatness
If there is one horse who can interrupt the flow of the Kentucky Derby two weeks before the race it is White Abarrio, who added another chapter to his already remarkable career with his stirring victory at the age 7 over Sovereignty and Journalism in last Saturday’s Oaklawn Handicap. What better time, with interest in racing reaching its peak, to tell the story of this rare individual. ~ Steve Haskin
The Story of White Abarrio: 58 Seconds to Greatness
By Steve Haskin
Let’s see, his color is “Snow White;” he is as old as the number of Dwarfs; before last year’s Breeders’ Cup Classic there was a “Doc” who made all his connections, fans, and backers “Grumpy;” and although this opening may sound “Dopey,” there is no denying that last Saturday he made a lot of people who love a good fairy tale “Happy.
You have to admit, the wild and wacky life and career of White Abarrio is something right out of an old fashioned Disney movie.
Once up on a time, way back in 2019, an undistiguished gray foal was born at the historic and prestigious Spendthrift Farm in Lexington, Kentucky. This sprawling breeding establishment had once been the home of such such iconic racehorses and stallions as Seattle Slew, Affirmed, Swaps, Nashua, Raise A Native, Majestic Prince, Gallant Man and many others.
But this colt was by the stallion Race Day, who would be exported to Korea the year after the colt was born. His dam, Catching Diamonds, failed to finish in the money in three starts. No one knew at the time the colt was born that Catching Diamonds’ sire, Into Mischief, at the end of the year would be the leading sire in North America and on his way top becoming the one of the most sought after stallions in history.
With so many royally bred horses born each year at Spendthrift Farm, it wasn’t a much of a surprise that their Race Day colt was one of the first to be sold, as soon as he turned 1-year-old. In January 2020, Spendthrift consigned him to the Keeneland January mixed sale, feeling he was on the small side and not fashionably bred. But right before the sale, in November, they scratched him after selling majority interest in him as part of a package deal made up of weanlings with lesser bred pedigrees.
But it all stayed in the family. The buyer was Raul Reyes of Kings Equine who has been breaking the Spendthrift yearlings for years and selling horses for them. Now it was time to sell the colt for real. In addition to being small, he was not a standout physically. So instead of selling at the Keeneland January sale, they waited another two weeks and put him in the Ocala January mixed sale.
The colt had been one of 15 sent to Summerfield Sales in Ocala to prepare for the sale. “They just had too many yearlings and not enough room for them,” said Francis Vanlangendonck, who owns Summerfield with his wife Barbara. “They send those horses down to me to help advertise their stallions. He was correct and had a good body, but was just another horse in that group. At that age you just never know what you have.”
Although he was by a multiple graded stakes winner and his grandsires were high-powered stallions Tapit and Into Mischief, he was sold for a meager $7,500 to Jose Ordonez, who purchased only the one yearling at the sale. It took exactly 58 seconds from the time the bidding started to the time the hammer fell.
Spendthrift general manager Ned Toffey said.“We took him to OBS on the ‘bigger fish’ theory, which has often worked well for us. Why nobody else thought he was worth more I really can’t say. He was always a well made, tidy little colt, but being by Race Day it was unlikely he would ever be a horse we would want to stand at stud.”
After purchasing the colt, Ordonez turned him over to his nephew and partner Edilberto “Eddie” Herrera to be broken and trained for the 2021 March OBS 2-year-old sale. “We bought him because of Tapit and Into Mischief,” Herrera said. “He walked correctly and did everything right. He had so much class.”
Herrera knew they had bought a potentially special horse right from the start, especially when the colt formed a bond with his daughter Allison. Herrera had bought three colts at the sale and his daughter nicknamed them “Tres Batos Locos,” or “Three Crazy Guys,” from a movie she liked. “This colt was always the leader,” Herrera said. “The others knew who was the boss.”
Herrera continued to put the colt through the breaking process and his early training for the 2-year-old sale, acting as both groom and exercise rider. “I would get on him and he would breeze a quarter of a mile in :20 4/5 and :21, and it was like riding in a new car,” he said. “He just kept getting better and better each time I got on him. When I asked him for more, he would give it to me and then even more than that.”
Unfortunately, two days after arriving at Ocala the colt, who had turned from light gray to pure white in color, had his prep breeze for the final breeze show and things did not go as planned. The prep breeze was at an eighth of a mile, a distance he was not used to, having breezed a quarter mile at home. One second he was in a jog and then suddenly he was asked to break off, with the rider hitting him with the crop. Startled and confused, the colt threw the rider and ran off, scraping the rail and suffering cuts on his chest and knees. As a result, the final breeze was not as fast as they knew he could go and they were disappointed when he was re-sold at OBS for $40,000, which still was more than four times what they paid for him. That “disappointing” eighth of a mile breeze was in a (slow?) :10 2/5. It would not be the first controversial incident in the colt’s career.
White Abarrio at the OBS Sales: January 2020 (left; March 2021 (right)
The buyer, Carlos Luis Perez, named him White Abarrio (Spanish for white-winged) and took over the colt’s training, debuting him at Gulfstream Park on September 24, 2021 under the nom de course Clap Embroidery. Sent off at odds of 12-1 in the 6 1/2-furlong race, he broke slowly from the rail before quickly moving up into fourth. Seemingly trapped behind horses, he charged up between the two leaders nearing the head of the stretch and burst clear at the eighth pole to win by 6 ½ lengths.
Watching in the stands was Mark Cornett of C2 Racing, who was so impressed with what he saw he purchased the colt privately. C2 Racing is owned by brothers Mark and Clint Cornett, and they partnered with Milagrosa Stable, owned by Antonio Pagnano and Carlos Perez, who had stayed in for a minority share. The horse was turned over to Saffie Joseph Jr, who was recommended to the Cornetts by jockey agent Matt Muzikar, a longtime friend of Mark’s.
It was that December that Spendthrift exported Race Day to Korea. At the time he had sired only three non-graded stakes winners in the U.S. who won the Texas Thoroughbred Futurity, Gottstein Futurity, and Arlington-Washington Lassie as 2-year-olds.
In White Abarrio’s first start for Joseph and the new owners he stretched out to a mile and this time wired his field to win by four lengths. Put in the Grade 2 Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes, he ran well to finish third.
He began his 3-year-old campaign by winning the Holy Bull Stakes by 4 1/4 lengths, catapulting his Beyer figure from an 80 to a 97. He then established himself as one of the Kentucky Derby favorites by defeating Todd Pletcher’s highly promising colt Charge It by 1 1/2 lengths in the Florida Derby. The $7,500 yearling whose sire was shipped off to Korea had become one of racing’s biggest bargains as he headed to Churchill Downs with four victories in five starts, including a Grade 1 and Grade 3 stakes.
White Abarrio wins the 2022 Florida Derby as a 3-year-old.
Despite his accomplishments he was sent off at odds of 15-1 odds in the Kentucky Derby and ran to those odds, finishing 16th, beaten 20 lengths. From there, his career kept going backwards, as he was defeated at odds of 3-2 in a weak Ohio Derby field, followed by a disastrous seventh-place finish in the Haskell Invitational, beaten over 34 lengths. Sent off at odds of 29-1 in the Pennsylvania Derby, he went right for the lead, but tired in the stretch to finish fifth, beaten eight lengths.
The colt who once showed so much promise had inexplicably turned into a bust, and for no apparent reason. He just lost his form. Given more than two months off, he dropped back to a one-turn mile in the Cigar Mile run over a sloppy track. He was only 7-2 in a six-horse field and bounced back to form, finishing third, beaten only a half-length. But he had every chance to win in the stretch and was unable to match strides with the first two finishers.
The following month he hit rock bottom finishing eighth, beaten over 13 lengths over his home track in the Pegasus World Cup. There was no doubt now this was a shell of the Grade 1-winning horse who seemed to have such a bright future. In his six starts since the Florida Derby he was winless, finishing up the track in four of those starts.
Joseph dropped him into a seven-furlong allowance race as a confidence builder and White Abarrio, favored at 6-5, responded with a 4 1/2-length victory in a sharp 1:22 flat, earning a 103 Beyer figure, the first triple-digit Beyer of his career. He was now set for the seven-furlong Carter Handicap as a prep for the Met Mile. But then all hell broke loose. First White Abarrio came down with a fever forcing him to miss the Carter. While at Churchill Downs, where Joseph was preparing longshot Wood Memorial winner Lord Miles for the Kentucky Derby, two of his horses died suddenly and mysteriously. With Churchill Downs still reeling over several fatal injuries on the track they suspended Joseph indefinitely while investigating the deaths of his two horses and barred Lord Miles from running in the Derby.
Although C2 Racing supported Joseph and kept 12 horses with him, they felt they had no choice but to send White Abarrio to another trainer, not knowing if their nominations and entries would be accepted, and with nominations for the Met Mile about to close.
So White Abarrio was sent to Rick Dutrow, who had recently returned to training following a 10-year suspension, which may have seemed like an odd choice to many considering the circumstances. As it turned out Joseph was reinstated in June after all tests proved inconclusive.
Going into the Met Mile, Milagrosa Stable no longer was a listed owner, with only Antonio Pagnano’s name listed along with C2 Racing Stable. Sent off at 20-1 in the Met Mile in his first start for Dutrow, White Abarrio ran a strong race to finish third behind Cody’s Wish, missing second by a head.
The Met Mile set him up perfectly for the Whitney, where he still was an enticing 10-1. No one could have expected what was to come as White Abarrio tracked a slow pace and burst clear of the field after turning for him, drawing off to a 6 1/4-length victory. It was as if his past eight races never happened. He had now put together Beyer speed figures of 103, 106, and 110, with a stunning negative-6 Thoro-Graph number in the Whitney.
White Abarrio dominates the field in the 2023 Whitney Stakes at Saratoga.
Eddie Herrera said it all watching him in the Whitney: “He’s a monster!” For his final work for the Classic he turned in a dazzling five-furlong drill in :59 4/5, flying home his last quarter in about :23.
White Abarrio went on to win the Breeders’ Cup Classic as the 5-2 favorite, but was beaten out for Horse of the Year by Cody’s Wish.
His 5-year-old campaign in 2024 was pretty much a disaster when they sent him to the rich Saudi Cup and he struggled with the track, finishing 10th, beaten 15 lengths. Given three months off, he did little running in the Met Mile, finishinmg fifth, beaten over 10 lengths and fell completely off everyone’s radar. It looked as if that might be for the horse’s career. The owners decided it was time to send him back to Saffie Joseph, who didn’t deserve to lose the horse in the first place and had to watch him turn into a superstar with another trainer. White Abarrio immediately responded after being given a five-month layoff to refresh, romping by 10 1/4 lengths in a seven-furlong allowance race at Gulfstream on November 22.
He ended 2024 with a fast-closing second in the seven-furlong Mr. Prospector Stakes before winning the Pegasus World Cup by 6 1/4 lengths and Ghostzapper Stakes by 5 1/4 lengths to begin his 6-year-old campaign. But as we had seen before, you never knew when he was going to tail off, especially at his age. He didn’t seem to handle the slop in the Met Mile, finishing fourth at 5-2, but was beaten only 5 1/4 lengths. He was fourth again in the Whitney won by Sierra Leone.
But weird things seemed to follow White Abarrio throughout his career, and none as weirder than the 2025 Jockey Club Gold Cup when two horses came in on him after the break, forcing him into Mindframe and causing that colt’s jockey Irad Ortiz to not only be thrown from his mount, but actually landing on the back of White Abarrio, who nearly lost his own jockey Edgard Zayas. Finally, Ortiz had to jump off White Abarrio, allowing Zayas to get back in the saddle. Ortiz then almost got trampled by a following Sierras Leone, as Mindframe ran riderless. With Zayas losing an iron in the incident, White Abarrio just basically ran around there, finishing a well-beaten fifth.
But White Abarrio and controversy were far from finished with each other. It was decided to try the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile instead of the Classic, and everything seemed to go smoothly. As per normal procedure, he was examined every day by Breeders’ Cup veterinarians and again on the morning of the race and passed all the tests, as well as in the paddock before the race. He then warmed up perfectly for Irad Ortiz, who had been his regular rider before the Gold Cup. But as they headed to the gate, for reasons still unknown, the on-track veterinarian contacted the stewards and recommended that White Abarrio be scratched. The horse’s owners have since filed a law suit against Breeders’ Cup, the California Horse Racing Board, and Del Mar Thoroughbred Club alleging that the scratch of White Abarrio violated California regulations and written protocols.
Despite turning 7, White Abarrio was kept in training and was pointed to the 2026 Pegasus World Cup again. Coming off that Breeders’ Cup fiasco and not having run in five months, Joseph could feel the pressure. Anytime a horse is scratched at the gate it doesn’t put the trainer in a good light, and Joseph had enough controversies in his career to make him nervous about White Abarrio returning at his age, with the Breeders’ Cup debacle still fresh enough in everyone’s mind.
White Abarrio ran his heart out in finishing second to his stablemate, Skippylongstocking, another 7-year-old warrior who was coming off a victory over the track in the Harlan’s Holiday Stakes. You won’t find a more touching sight on the racetrack than an emotional Joseph, trying to hold back tears, walking briskly and then running up the track to greet White Abarrio, where he put his left hand on the horse’s muzzle and buried his head several times up against his neck before finally letting him go, still fighting the tears.
When it was learned that racing’s two 3-year-old titans from last year, Horse of the Year Sovereignty and Journalism, would be clashing in the Oaklawn Handicap, it didn’t scare Joseph. He was ready for the old boy to take on the best. And we saw all the emotions flow freely when White Abrarrio, under a brilliant ride by Ortiz, ran down both horses to win going away by two lengths in a swift 1:47.49, the fastest time for the race since Cigar 30 years ago.
Watching the race from Versailles, Kentucky were Francis and Barbara Vanlangendonck. They had seen him go from a $7,500 newly turned yearling to a 7-year-old superstar pushing his earnings over $8.4 million. “When they got to the head of the stretch and I saw he had a big chance to win, Barbara and I both started screaming and the dogs began howling,” Francis said.
White Abarrio defeats Sovereignty and Journalism in the 2026 Oaklawn Handicap
Louisa Barton, founder, host, and executive producer of the popular Ocala-based radio and TV show “The Horse Talk Show,” is one of many who have fallen in love with this magnificent horse, as well as with his pet goat Brownie, who is also White Abarrio’s bodyguard and has been known to ram a few people once in a while, including Saffie Joseph.
“Meeting White Abarrio up close and personal, and Brownie, was such a special experience for me,” she said. “And we all need an emotional sport animal. After what happened at the Breeders’ Cup last year, this was his moment to shine against the two 3-year-old stars. He has nothing left to prove, but as long as Brownie can keep him company I would love to see him keep running.”
It is safe to say that White Abarrio’s chaotic career has been like no other, from its soaring heights to its deepest depths and filled with some of the most bizarre and controversial moments ever seen. It is only fitting that when it does end it will be happily ever after.
So, who better to describle this remarkable horse than the original Snow White, who said of her Prince Charming, “There is no nobody like him, anywhere in the world.”
Photos courtesy of Natalie Moses/Cody Media, Edilberto Herrera, John Dunn, Ryan Thompson, Adam Coglianese and Cody Media,
Racing historian, author, and award-winning retired journalist for the Daily Racing Form and The Blood-Horse, Steve Haskin was inducted into the National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame’s Media Roll of Honor in 2016. Known for his racing knowledge and insightful prose, he has been an exclusive contributor to Secretariat.com since 2020.
Love this history, Steve! Thanks for giving White Abarrio his due, as only you can do.
Mr Haskins
Love your writing.
Please comment on the Oaks fillies. It’s just as difficult to get there as it is the Derby and the fillies don’t get the respect they deserve. Who’s your pick – it’s a stacked field this year as is the Derby with no clear favorite.
Also, would love a story on Skippy. How blessed is Saffie to have them both in his barn. Wishing other trainers would keep their horses racing and winning into middle age like he’s able to do.
Nelson, that might give Dean an edge over Danon Bourbon.
Sorry for double comment post.
That is twice this has happened to me today
Goofy phone!
Yes Lynda.
Sakai is looking to build on his experience with Forever Young in 2023, but Danon Bourbon seems to be a faster runner than Wonder Dean … but who knows… it all comes down to the one enjoying the best trip.
Sakay will make sure to stay away from Tyler Gaffalione and Fulleffort this time … LOL
Nelson, always enjoy your posts,which illustrates great knowledge. What’s your opinion of CW’s draw?
PP 12 is an excellent draw for The Chief… it gives Junior Alavarado the advantage of controlling what five top contenders to his inside do early (Incredibolt, The Puma, So Happy, Danon Bourbon, and Commandment).
With blinkers and his natural speed I can picture the son of Constitution stalking the pacemakers at striking distance. Putting blinkers looks like a good decision if you go by his breeze (with them) on Monday at Churchill.
The morning line-maker made Chief Wallabee the third choice at 8 to 1. It is a good sign of the respect he is commanding as a betting alternative to Renegade and Commandment. The two favorites will have a tough time navigating the Derby chaos; whereas the Chief will very likely enjoy a better trip in my view…
BTW I don’t see not running at two as problem for Chief Wallabee as he had 17 breezes since June 2 last year. August was the only month he could not work out.
Chief Wallabee is a solid betting proposition in the Derby for sure.
Thanks as always for your opinions. Actually, his post looked favorable to me,as well. We share same view on his draw. Gives him lots of options.
I wonder if we may be overlooking the UAE Derby runners.
Wonder Dean is on an excellent improvement pattern.
And Six Speed, with a strong distance pedigree (credit to Paul for pointing that out), was coming off an 8-week layoff.
Meanwhile, Danon has only run clockwise and faced no adversity whatsoever in all 3 races.
I’m just saying I think Danon carries more risk than Wonder and Six.
Now that Intrepido has made the Derby field in P/P #3, I’ll have another live exacta wager to accompany my other live exacta wagers. I boxed him at 38-1, with Potente. at 16-1 in a $20.00 exacta wager, Pool 6. The payout would be $9,535 or $8,820 (depending on the finishing order).
To have an active future exacta bet in Derby is saying something. I’m one that can’t accept such a high-risk in future betting, but I admire those who put money down with a conviction to score. First thing that comes to mind following these wagers is what the potential payoff comparison is the day of with regards to the live pools?
The best of luck to you, Bill!
I’m surprised that Renegade was still made the ML Favorite at 4-1 after drawing the dreaded rail. I’m thinking that he floats up to 7-1 or 8-1.
I think that Further Ado or Commandment goes favored.
I WILL be using Renegade in multi-race wagers and maybe even a win wager if the odds feel right. I’ll want more than 4-1 though. Like double that.
Otherwise, “The Chief”, Commandment, or Danon Bourbon.
Pletcher and Repole didn’t draw a great post in the Oaks either. I think Zany(#2) is also a 4-1 ML Favorite.
I like Zany, but not any better than Prom Queen or Percy’s Bar.
The entries are up for Friday but not Saturday as of 5 minutes ago.
A very nice card on Friday. My advice to anyone scheduled to work on Friday: call in sick.
I want to get a look at Danon Bourbon. Someone on another site called him “The Japanese Yogurt Horse”. It made me chuckle. But he could be serious out of the #7 post.
Rock on White Abarrio
When will the morning line odds be posted?
It s on kyderby.com
Awesome! Thank you.
I’m on record as saying that Renegade is the only horse in the field that can win from the rail. It’s not ideal. But his price should go up.
My theory is that he can drop back and Irad Ortiz can try to work out a trip. But he won’t be hustled out of there trying for the lead. I don’t think that they will feel that crush of horses coming over on them. We’ll see.
“The Chief” drew well in the #12.
Brad C wanted outside for Further Ado and got the #18.
Mixed feelings about #6 for Commandment.
Danon Bourbon right next door in #7.
The Puma should be fine in #9.
Emerging Market got a great draw in #15 IMO.
Also,I’m on record weeks ago stating if Renegade drew the rail it’s a deal breaker! Couple individual disagreed. Let’s see.
The SPEED is spread out and look at Pavlovian and Six Speed together and in outside posts. This will surely set up the closers.
THREE Japanese entrants, sheesh, why?….Love Potente’s draw, WISH So Happy drew wider out—I recall how the tiny Jumron was injured, from his seven post, when the field came over…IF…So Happy can work out a trouble free trip—I think he wins …
Hi, Mathew W
So Happy has been on my radar since his Santa Anita Derby win. With Renegade and Further Ado drawing so poorly, So Happy could be the “Cinderella” horse in this year’s Derby. The back story relating to his trainer, Mark Glatt, was very moving.
As you mentioned, “if he can work out a trouble-free trip, he wins”. I would agree with that statement, and his odds should be enhancing.
Bill I think Further Ado is the outside speed/stalker…avoids trouble from out there, can work out a good trip, IF you like him….don’t fret the draw, he has contending speed…
Thanks for the reply. Mathew W
I would certainly agree that Further Ado has a better chance on winning, than Renegade. Danon Bourbon looks appealing at 20-1, and he drew well in P/P #7. I’ll key him on top, in a couple of superfecta wagers.
With respect to the exotic wagers, the Super Hi-5 payout could be huge.
I’ll wheel my final top three selections on top, with two underneath in the 4th and 5th slots. Cost: $12.00.
Good luck with your wagers.
Hey Bill…
With Renegade drawing the less than ideal 1 hole no one mentioned the fact he’ll be the first to load and will be standing in the gate awhile. If there’s a gate loading issue down the line that can’t be good for him either. Just pointing out a potential issue.
I wasn’t on the So Happy bandwagon but he drew well. Kind of liking So Happy on tix construction. The Puma might have something to say about the outcome a very good draw.
Your points are well received, ChiefsCrown.
I just have a gut feeling that So Happy is a live longshot at 15-1. The way he went by Potente, in the SA Derby was very impressive. His pedigree reflects speed on top, with an abundance of class and stamina on the bottom.
He could carry the X-Factor large heart gene, tracking back to War Admiral.
Good luck with your wagers.
No horse has prevailed from the rail for forty-years. This year won’t be any different.
Yes no winner in 40 but…..is his post position good enough to get him ITM? That’s my quandry. Don’t know if i should put a few dineros on him for lower exotics. I could use input from a few of you guys who are better ‘cappers than i am. Although i hit both trifectas last year (Oaks & Derby) i still consider myself digesting info.
Thanks for your reply CC. My take is several horses are capable of winning. The Puma is training well, like his draw.
The 2026 Kentucky Derby Post Positions:
1-Renegade, Irad Ortiz Jr.
2-Albus, Manny Franco
3-Intrepido, Hector Berrios
4-Litmus Test, Martin Garcia
5-Right to Party, Chris Elliot
6-Commandment, Luis Saez
7-Danon Bourbon, Atsuya Nishimura
8-So Happy, Mike Smith
9-The Puma, Javier Castellano
10-Wonder Dean, Christian Demuro
11-Incredibolt, Jaime Torres
12-Chief Wallabee, Junior Alvarado
13-Silent Tactic, Christian Torres
14-Potente, J.J. Hernandez
15-Emerging Market, Flavien Prat
16-Pavlovian, Edwin Maldonado
17-Six Speed, Brian Hernandez Jr.
18-Further Ado, John Velazquez
19-Golden Tempo, Jose Ortiz
20-Fulleffort, T. Gaffalione
AE
Great White
Ocelli
Overall not bad but Renegade.
Wonder Dean and Danon Bourbon good I think.
Nelson, that might give Dean an edge over Danon Bourbon.
Edit: Wonder Dean’s jockey will be Ryusey Sakai, famous for being the jockey of Forever Young.
Wowwwww 1 and 20. Worst possible for them?
Neither drew poorly, they are deep closers…I’d prefer #20 to #1, though ..horses can lean into inside horses, causing them to take up…
Brad said he wasn’t thrilled with 20 for Fulleffort.
I also think anyone who thought Golden Tempo was live should be disappointed.
Although Country House did win from 20. So who knows.
With the post-position draw coming up, take note of the following:
Most KD winners by P/P.
#5, 10 winners
#8, 9 winners
#10, 9 winners
Fingers crossed that Renegade secures one of the post positions.
…and hope he avoids pp’s 1-3 and 17!
For sure, biggy312.
Rats, Renegade in the number one hole.
The era of 20 horses is fairly new….I would not prefer #5 today…..#15 would be my best post, you have a better chance at a clean trip ..
Forever Young’s next 2 races will be Jockey Club Gold Cup–> BC Classic
or Irish Champion Stakes –> Prix de L’Arc de Triumphe….would like to see either route
Thanks
Any time!😊
Would be interesting to see how good he is on the turf…
That would be pretty cool to see him in the Arc.
Absolutely!
Thanks for writing this lovely article about this special horse.
Litmus Test got in just in time. If he would have been on the AE List after the draw and the scratch of Chip Honcho occurred later, he would still have gotten in but would have been stuck in an extreme outside post like Rich Strike. This way he gets a chance at a decent post.
Not that I like the horse. I’ve seen enough of that guy. But I think that the horse is interesting because BB sticks with him and gives him a shot at the Derby rather than waiting for the apparent easier spot of the Preakness.
The Post Position Draw is sometime around 2pm today. Between races 3 and 4 at Churchill.
I think it will be on FanDuel TV. If not, it can be streamed at KentuckyDerby.com.
I think it also is streamed on YouTube…
Steve Asmussen just announced thar Chip Honcho is Skipping the Kentucky Derby and will instead run in the Preakness.
The looong Pros and Cons column will be posted on Sunday covering every horse in detail and featuring several of them.
Looking forward!! Trifecta work so far has been all over the place for me!
Chip Honcho out, Litmus Test in…
Thank you, Steve. Can’t wait!
Hi Steve, great article on WA. I didn’t realize that WA and Skippylongstocking ate both intact and ironically both trained by S Joseph….pedigree on both certainly seems good enough to breed to…hmmm…
Thanks. Thats what makes them the most special duo in racing. You just dont see anything like that anymore and at that level.
When they ran one, two I was over Jupiter’s moons!
Thought?
What odds will the favorite be?
How many horses will go off at <10 to 1?
Im guessing around 7-2 or 4-1. Not sure about 10-1 but I see several bunched between 8 and 12-1.
I really enjoyed reading this. As I’ve said before, White Abarrio is a special favorite of mine, and I learned a lot of new things about him. Thank you for honoring him with this column and for sharing all the information and stories. My best wishes to him in all his future races.
Thanks. He deserves the honor.
I can’t believe the Derby is a week from tomorrow. Still swamped with my post-move to-do list, so I haven’t been able to watch any replays of the Derby morning show. But everyone’s comments here keep me in touch with what’s going on!
You don’t see a lot of Derby Horses, in The San Vicente….but when you do…..look at that list…mostly yesteryear, but there’s Nyquist …1:21 flat, So Happy….he galloped out today, in his work—better than at Santa Anita, my guess is he’s a very smart horse, he doesn’t work great, today, though he kept going, I think So Happy is peaking ..add to that his San Vicente….how many could go 1:21 flat?
(should have said “you don’t see many Derby Winners TODAY, in the San Vicente)”…
Ive been preaching using sprint stakes as Derby preps for years.
Further Ado has never finished ahead of any of the current Derby horses. How many will he finish ahead of next Saturday? 19? 10?
Correct me if I’m wrong in my statement above. If Great White who finished 5th in the Blue Grass draws in, that would be one he has finished ahead of.
Intetesting. Is that an angle that’s been strong, historically?
Not that I know of. Its just an interesting factoid that I havent heard mentioned on tv anyway.
It is interesting. But how many did he finish behind?
Excellent question. His first two maiden races were completely against his breeding. Once stretched out to distance races, he exhibited his dominance. As for the Tampa Bay race where he ran second to the Puma, he was sick prior to that race and wasn’t completely healthy, yet ran a credible second.
How many did Secretariat finish ahead of? Or Affirmed or Justify or Sunday Silence or at the other end Mine That Bird or Rich Strike just name a few.
Emerging Market looked fantastic in his workout today. Better than he did in Louisiana IMO.
As I asked on another site, wouldn’t Emerging Market winning the Derby be our worst nightmare? Winning the Run for the Roses off just two races.
We are seeing more and more horses with just 3 and 4 races.
Other trainers might get the idea that running twice before the Derby is a good thing.
Whatever. Emerging Market looked like a star today.
“The Chief” and Emerging Market are my two favorites on looks alone so far. “Looks” aren’t everything. But it was his look last year that pointed me to Sovereignty.
This is the most inexperienced field since at least 1970. (That’s as far back as my racing forms go!)
Baffert names $10.5 million Flightline colt…..
Zedan. After Amr’s father family name
Should make invoicing really easy.
I guess if you spend over $10million on a horse you can name him anything you darn well please.
Here’s a question for another day: Is Amr Zedan getting his money’s worth for all the cash that he spends on horses? No offense.
I wonder what kind of car that guy drives? I bet it’s a nice one.
Shocker!
His estimated net worth is over a billion.
Runs several companies and is a venture capitalist
He plays polo on addition to his horse racing ventures.
Not sure how much he has paid for his Thoroughbreds but has to be close to a hundred million with this latest acquisition.
I do not think any so far have earned enough to cover the purchase price not including all of the other expenses including training fees.
He is said to like the sprinters and was very impressed with how fast this Flightline colt ran a furlong in the exhibition before the auction.
I read the colt is named after his father because Mr Zedan the father has a great relationship with Bob Baffert
Princess Noor was his first success. She retired at 3 as I recall and was sold to Japan
Supposedly he had horses with Chad Brown at one time.
He met Bob about ten years ago in Dubai.
At that point he was considering buying into California Chrome when Taylor Made was selling shares before he was sold to Japan.
Wants a Kentucky Derby winner.
Could this Flightlne colt be the one?
Only time will tell.
He did ship to California the day after the auction and has been on the track at Santa Anita.
No published works that I am aware of.
Mr. Haskin, wonderful story on White Abarrio. Appreciate all you do.
Thanks Mike.
Interesting article by the “12 second furlong guy”….he throws out Renegade, AND the Florida Derby horses! Wow …..one of his five, that qualify in his system is So Happy, a horse fast enough to easily beat Bob’s colts three times, including 1:21 flat and 1:49 flat, medium sized but it’s all in the right place! I don’t quite understand his method, for instance–he does not take into effect wind factor, on his furlong times, or even run up times, which vary, quite a bit…..
Hi Mathew…who are you refering to…just curious
Yes Dominic ..his name is Dick Downey ..he wrote an article in BH, I referred to his article and was censored, by BH…because you cannot print out the man’s first name, go figure…they posted his article, but his name is off limits!..
Hi, Mathew W
The “12 second furlong guy”, Dick Downey, points out the average :12 second furlong at various calls during the final prep races of the Derby prospects, is the key that separates the contenders from the pretenders. At least that’s the way I interpret his theory.
From my perspective, to use 12 second furlong calls as a measurement in predicting which horses to dismiss, is pure folly, IMO.
Based on his theory, to dismiss the likes of Renegade and the Florida Derby runners, such as Commandment, The Puma and Chief Wallabee could come back to haunt Mr. Downey. Just my opinion.
Question to you both. Does he give any historical evidence to back up his angle?
Steve, its time for thank you and appreciation. Thank you for another terrific Derby Trail ( dare I say “It was fun ” ! ) and my appreciation for all your hard work bringing us these rankings and wonderful stories every week. Truly a labor of love. Haven’t picked a derby horse yet but I like So Happy and the ” Chief” to be in the mix at the end. White Abarrio is a fantastic war horse, happy for his win, the youngsters will be fine with many wins in their future. Have got to give kudos to one of my all time favorites, Gulch, on his entrance to the HOF. I remember him in the 1987 Wood Memorial at the top of the stretch Gone West passes him but Gulch just kept running and running and running till he nipped GW at the wire. Great race Great horses. My sincere thank you again Steve for all you do, Best writer of anything Thoroughbred.
I really appreciate that Diane. Thank you so much. It’s been a fun ride and hope it made the winter go by a little quicker, as it did me.
Diane, can I stand behind you and say, “Yeah! And yeah! And YEAH!”? Perfect post, which I will now probably ruin.
Steve, I hope you know that your continued work is a blessing to so many of us out here in radioland… er, internetland.
Thanks Katy, glad u liked it !
Gulch getting into the HoF was decades in the making – it should never have taken this long; he’s the kind of horse the HoF was made for
Also, Shirreffs.
Glad to see Kona Gold make the Hall of Fame. One consequence of the consolidation of sires is that we’re not seeing dedicated sprinters as we once did. In my view, racing has become dominated by grinders, and the few really fast horses are not durable enough to run more than a few times a year. I remember the good old days of great sprinting mares like Safely Kept and Xtra Heat who won so many races going to the lead and staying there.
Post positions on Saturday.
Wonder Dean is flying way under the radar. 30-1 or 40-1? He did win the UAE Derby pretty impressively.
But I’m drawn to Danon Bourbon whose sire, Maxfield, was 5 for 5 at Churchill Downs.
That’s one angle.
Another angle is Mott and Alvarado two years in a row.
Yet another angle is Luis Saez on Commandment. Maybe they owe him one.
I’m not so caught up in Irad Ortiz choosing Renegade over a few others. Ortiz seems to have a special relationship with Mike Repole. With all these horses seeming so close in talent, why not be loyal to your buddy.
Same with Flavien Prat. I don’t think that he wants to lose being first call for Chad Brown who gives him plenty of terrific mounts.
I thought Wonder Dean looked strong this morning, although the work goals are mysterious to me for the Japanese runners in the mornings.
Litmus Test is just one scratch away from getting into the Derby.
“The Chief” looked fantastic in his jog around the track the other day without the blinkers. He almost reminded me of Sovereignty from last year. Almost.
Can I go with a horse with only 3 races and the one Maiden win as my Derby Horse?
I’m thinking about it.
Beautiful writing about a beautiful animal!
This is what the heart of horse racing is all about (GREAT article!)
Thank you Catherine.
Love this story. What a prize White Albario is!
Emerging Market, So Happy and Wonder Dean will work tomorrow, at Churchill….final works!..
With the defection of Stark Contract, Intrepido has made the Derby starting gate.
edit: Stark Contrast
I am so glad that my all-time favorite racehorse is now going to be in the Hall of Fame. Congrats to Gulch. Thanks for the memories.
David
As of now….my tri box has Renegade, Potente, So Happy, Chief Wallabee—an thinking of including Brown/Prat two start colt—goes against my instinct, but Prat chose him, and I don’t think it was just because of loyalty—in eight Derby Mounts Prat has made six trifectas, and seven superfectas….and he chose to ride Emerging Market …
Prat is one of the best judges of pace that I have ever seen. Shoemaker and Bailey good.
Shirreffs, Clement and Kona Gold get into the Hall …
Sure, and the two trainers are no longer with us. Absurd!
Mathew, my point is Shirreffs and Clement deserved HOF earlier.
I totally agree! Both were students of history, it meant a lot, to both ..
Yes.
Absolutely, Mike! Clement hss a long list of accomplishments. JS seemed a little underated to me….Z speaks for herself of course. Giacomo? Any trainer with a horse with 3 wins lifetime and one happens to be the Kentucky Derby is doing something right.
2 of the all time greats, for sure!
Thanks Dominic for your astute comments. Both trainers deserved this years earlier. Both knew what it took to train,also placing the horse first.
I know just how Joseph feels I lost the horse SW WILDCARD because I was too stubborn to give the owner a larger portion when we were partners and he went onto WIN THE STAKE RACE THE MEMORIAL DAY HANDICAP for a $2500 horse he won $250,000 and I never got the horse back ! Nick Mastronardi I was his trainer, Exersize Boy, and Groom!
This feature is a fitting tribute to White Abarrio after his thrilling victory in the Oaklawn Handicap. It was his best performance so far delivered in the second start of his 7-year-old season. I love the photo of his white silhouette overtaking last year’s top three-year-olds. It captures a truly historic moment. It is a picture of a horse aging on his own terms.
In my view, White Abarrio winning this Oaklawn Handicap is an ever greater achievement than winning the 2023 Breeder’s Cup Classic. No one in that topmost race was as accomplished as Sovereignty and Journalism.
Beating a Horse of the Year takes a truly exceptional horse.
This Century only three Horses of the Year were defeated in their seasonal debut after earning that greatest accolade.
Rachel Alexandra finished 2nd to Zardana in the 2010 New Orleans Ladies Stakes, coming off a more than 6 months on the sideline. The daughter of Medaglia d’Oro had arguable lost form in her 4-year-old season.
California Chrome was 2nd to Shared Belief in the San Antonio Stakes on February 7, 2015; and Knicks Go could not match the blazing speed of Life is Good in the 2022 Pegasus World Cup.
White Abarrio has now a distinction of having defeated a Horse of the Year.
Saffie Joseph Jr. has done an outstanding job developing and keeping White Abarrio and Skippylongstocking in top form at the age of seven.
You normally don’t see horses not gelded going that far and still competing successfully against top-class fields.
The consensus is that Sovereignty is now primed to be dominant again this year but he better be flawless in his punches because the White Warrior will be punching back hard.
I like the fact and really enjoy that you mix in historical trivia to your posts. Well done Nelson. Thank you.
Thanks Robert. I really appreciate your feedback.
Love your post!
I am glad you like it Lynda.
Nelson, your comments covers all aspects. Well done!
Thanks for your reply Mike.
I was about to expand on some other cases like White Abarrio (i.e. other modern horses non gelded who ran great to their 7 and 8 like Flat Out, Caixa Electronica, and others) but I wanted to keep the post short.
Thanks, Nelson.
Great history and analysis, Nelson!
Thanks Katy. You are very kind
Steve,
Another great column. I always like your story behind the story ones. When I saw White Abarrio pedigree and saw the sire Race Day during his 3 year old season I got excited because I knew was trained by Todd Pletcher and was highly regarded but never knew what happened to him. Did not remember him being sent to Korea. I looked up Race Day’s race record today and here is a clue about last weekend race for White Abarrio … we all know how he loves Gulfstream but his sire not only won the Oaklawn Handicap but also The Razorback Handicap. Now we know it runs in the family.
Again Steve a great story and I hope White Abarrio gives us many more thrilling wins !!!
If for anything to see Saffie cry.
Thanks very much.
Disgrace Race Day and so many others aren’t in the states.
Hello Steve – I currently have my top 5, but this could change with the PP draw and it looks like it’s possible it could be a wet track on derby day 10 days out. Could you give us the Tomlinson numbers for the 20 that are going to run in the Derby? Thanks for all you do Steve!
So Happy …looks sensational..
Will have to be schooled, Mark (Glatt) will have him schooled, the horse is looking at everything—a sign of high intelligence (my opinion)…horse looks real solid, FIT….my 3-horsr tri just went up to 4—in a 20-horse field, that’s a small box!
So Happy is a result of fifty years of a family breeding operation, his breeder is 94, his jockey is 59….
Matthew W
I agree.
Watched a video of him this morning arriving at CHD (whatever day that was).
Gosh, so many gorgeous colts this year with lots of personality.
What I have seen are all fit, carrying good weight and have glowing coats.
The Puma was as shiny as a brand new penny in s photo I saw, just glowing in the sunshine.
Yes The Puma looks great! I have yet to see a bad looker, this year, for The Derby….McCarthy’s Oaks filly (cannot recall her name) looked thin, to me…(Is her name “Meaning”)..
I really, really like So Happy. His head and expression really reminds me of Blame, who was a horse I always thought looked incredibly intelligent and personable. I want to see The Puma tomorrow. I have been pretty high on him, but I didn’t like how he moved in the back end this morning. Maybe he was nervous or stiff from the trip, or maybe it was a camera angle. Also possible that I’m crazy and seeing things.
Excellent post Steve, you out did yourself again. I will say this when White Abarrio has had his rest between races he is very difficult to beat.
We don’t see great stallions race at age 7 much anymore.
I am very impressed with this victory, the races he has won are very tough races.
In Sovereignty’s behalf I am positive that after an 8 month layoff he really needed this race. I believe that with the months to come Sovereignty will establish himself as the best race horse in the land.
Thanks Deacon. I thought Sovereignty ran a super race. It couldn’t have set up any worse for him and he ran hard the whole way.
Maestro, you are correct.
he biggest thing was that he came out of the race in good order.
Steve,
Has there been any attempt to bring Race Day back to the States from South Korea? Has he produced any high quality foals there?
William,wish Race Day would come back to the states.
Mike, I assume that like other stallions they have the right to bring him back.
Agreed!
Off topic but here goes:
Curlin had been taken off the roster for the rest of 2026.
Diagnosed with an ulcer outside of his stomach which is very unusual.
Had temperature and low libido. Some mares reported not on foal.
Decision to take off the rest of the year so hopefully he can return in 2027.
More info on TDN site.
Thanks Lynda! Hope all goes well for Curlin.
For those interested a more in depth article on Blood Horse.
Stated for almost twenty years Asmussen will never win a Derby. Wonder how many of his storied “wins” he would trade for a Derby win?
Respectfully Mike, why do you believe that?
Is he another Farrell Jones wannabee?
Deacon, partly he hasn’t at times had the horses.
Thank you sir
Always good hearing from you,Deacon.
Good picks Matthew.
I have So Happy, Emerging Market, The Puma & one other
The Puma has been on my short list for past two months.
Steve, do you have a favorite part of the writing process? The research? The actual writing? Reactions from your readers?
And how long does it take you to do a piece like this from start to finish? I’m fascinated by how you can churn out such long, well put together stories in such a seemingly short time. I’ve always struggled with finding the right words quickly.
Thank you Roan Boy. I appreciate you asking. I love doing research and discovering new gems of little known facts and Information and then putting them in story form that will enlighten readers and bring them into the story. The writing is the creating part and the reactions are affirmations that they enjoyed the story.
That’s really cool. Waiting for the Steve Haskin autobiography one day, whenever you’re ready. 🙂
You can make it a biography if youre willing to write it.😊
Great Story, Thank You for sharing. And now with 9 days to the end of our Derby journey the excitement is bubbling inside. As a novice, i have often wondered how your other readers use your top 12 to build their trifecta or superfecta bets. ??
I hope they dont use it all.😊
Thank you, for this one, Steve. Really neat that Race Day also won the Oaklawn Handicap. I never knew!
White Abarrio and Epicenter were my Derby picks in 2022. I looked back at some messages I sent a friend when we were making our picks, and I told her that I liked White Abarrio because he seemed “rideable and rateable with good tactical speed.” I stand by that, these many years later! He took back off of those whippersnappers after being sent just like the champ he is!
I have to wonder if Into Mischief’s dominance will give White Abarrio’s pedigree more appeal now. A horse’s accomplishments, durability, and recognizability sometimes STILL aren’t enough. I really hope that he won’t be discounted when he retires, like Chrome. The fact that he has two surprise standout stallions in his family (Tapit and IM) could encourage a farm, or hurt him if they think lightning couldn’t strike again. Whatever happens, there is probably more drama yet to come.
Great article! Would make a great movie but we got to see it live!
Nailed another one, Mr Steve,
Thank you so much….!!
My favorite race horse of all time. Wonderful story.
Really enjoyed this, Steve. You shared so much about White Abarrio I never knew before, including the meaning of his name!
Such wonderful, exciting and heartfelt writing! IV enjoyed this so much!
Thank you Rosemary.
Iron Honor out, Chip Honcho in; a bit more pace in Derby?
Out unless “something crazy happens” like some significant defections. But yes most likely heading to the Preakness.
Steve, I really didn’t expect a whole column today—you’ve already given us so much in the last week. I loved the way you wove White Abarrio’s story around Snow White. With his color, he belongs in a fairy tale!
Thank you Ms B. I had nothing else to do.😊
Steve, you seem to be in a creative zone. Each article better than the last. This might be my favorite.
“Don’t mess with the streak, Meat.”
—Crash Davis
Thank you. I keep trying.
I hope a court case will shed light, on his BCup (very late) scratch ..seems Saffie gets the Rodney Dangerfield treatment!
Oh Wow, What a great piece, Steve!!! I’ve loved watching him in so many races!.. I always cheered him on and of course with less than perfect effect, but I just loved him. Right before the Arkansas race I said to my husband “I’d sure love to see White Abarrio win, he’s had so many ups and downs!” My husband said, nah he cant beat those two! And quite honestly I feared the worst when he dropped back to fourth, DARNED if he didn’t get it done!! I was yelling (and I rarely do that) for him and was so tickled he made it happen!! Thanks for filling in all those blanks that I was not aware of… He’s really a special Boy!!
Thanks Carole, it is those blanks that often helps tell the story.
Such a great story. He is just amazing. I love the Snow White analogy!
I’ve followed this gorgeous white horse for a long time and saw him in the paddock at Del Mar and was so shocked with the late scratch. But boy did he come back with the 1/2 at Gulfstream! Gotta love Skippy too🩷
Brownie is his buddy and bodyguard. Love that as well. What a feel good story. His trainer is so good to him and loves him so much. Love how his emotions are right there for all of us to see. Thanks for this in depth story, Steve. As Irad says. “ That’s Racing .”
When talking to Maggie! What a race. Right up there with Zenyatta’s BC at Santa Anita.
That was a wonderful and inspiring story, Steve – one of your best. I’ve been a big fan of White Abarrio for a long time, and I was so thrilled to see him shine on Saturday against the “Big Two”, as if to say “I’m not done yet, guys”. To see Saffie’s emotions just helps me remember why I love this sport.
Thanks for another great story, love the way his trainer loves that horse, it’s good for racing
Yeah Cathy, everyone loves a winner.
I loved reading this and the analogy to Snow White was the perfect lead in!
Always a fan of White Abarrio going all the way back.
He and Skippy finishing 1,2 was thrilling.
I will never forget his win Saturday.
It was so special. Some horses just touch our hearts, win or lose.
Thank you!
Loved to see White Abarrio win and over such heavyweights. The background material is, as always, very much appreciated. Thank you Steve. I hope WA finds a good home in retirement. What an equine ambassador for the sport.
Mr. Haskin, thanks for an inspiring story regarding a courageous horse. Always liked him from the beginning of his career.
You can tell the love and appreciation that Saffie Joseph feels about White Abbario after he races because he usually cries. WA is a special talent and it’s been a pleasure to see him race for so many years after many horses are prematurely retired. It was good to see Sovereignty and Journalism back.