Photo: Lauren King / Gulfstream Park showcases the moment when 2023 Breeders’ Cup Classic winner White Abarrio made his long-awaited comeback on Friday at Gulfstream Park. This event was highly anticipated and did not disappoint.

The Spectacular Return of White Abarrio

First Impressions and Race Setup

White Abarrio, who had been away from the races for 6 months, made his first start in 168 days. Breaking from post 2 in a field of five, he settled in third, racing in the clear three wide. Flying Liam led the way, pressed by his stablemate Mish. Through a quarter-mile in 22.77 seconds and a half in 45.98, White Abarrio was in a prime position. Irad Ortiz Jr. was in the irons, biding his time. As the race progressed, Ortiz loomed up to challenge the leader rounding the far turn and took over the top spot straightening for home. He drew clear impressively under a strong hand ride.This initial setup showed that White Abarrio had the potential to shine. His ability to settle in a strategic position and then make a powerful move demonstrated his racing prowess. It was clear that he was ready to make a statement on the track.

The Winning Moment and Aftermath

Under Irad Ortiz's expert guidance, White Abarrio cruised to a popular 10 1/4-length victory in the race 7 feature, a seven-furlong optional claiming allowance for 3-year-olds and up. The winning time of 1:23.32 over a fast main track was a testament to his speed and stamina. Ortiz described the experience as beautiful, stating that White Abarrio broke well and he bided his time. At the quarter-pole, he went by and continued to impress. After the wire, he galloped out with everything feeling good.Owners C2 Racing Stable, Prince Faisal bin Khaled bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud and Antonio Pagnano privately purchased White Abarrio after his debut victory at Gulfstream in 2021. Since then, he has had remarkable wins in the Gulfstream's 2022 Holy Bull (G3) and Florida Derby (G1). After being transferred to trainer Richard Dutrow Jr. last spring, he won the Whitney (G1) and Breeders’ Cup Classic and was a finalist for horse of the year. In his only other start this year, he finished 10th in the Feb. 24 Saudi Cup (G1).Now, with this impressive win, White Abarrio will be pointed to the Harlan’s Holiday (G3) on Dec. 21, which is Gulfstream's prep for the Pegasus World Cup (G1) on Jan. 25. Trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. is hopeful that this is the start of bigger and better things for the 5-year-old son of Race Day.

Looking Ahead and Trainer's Thoughts

Trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. couldn't have asked for a more ideal comeback for White Abarrio. He sat in an ideal spot throughout the race and continued to perform well. As the race went on, Joseph became more confident. He wanted to see White Abarrio level out, which he did, and he continued on well. Now, they will all get together to decide the next steps.Joseph is cautious not to get beyond themselves and wants to ensure that White Abarrio comes back well. The Harlan’s Holiday is the next planned event, and from there, they will discuss further. Fingers crossed, this is the beginning of a successful journey for White Abarrio.Overall, White Abarrio's return to the races was a moment to remember. His performance showed that he is still a force to be reckoned with in the world of horse racing.