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If everything goes as planned, the latter half of White Abarrio's 5YO season will resemble that of his 4YO campaign. The horse, who won the 2023 Breeders' Cup Classic but underperformed in the $20 million Saudi Cup in February, is being directed towards the Gr.1, $1 million Metropolitan Handicap that will take place on June 8 at Saratoga, according to trainer Rick Dutrow. If White Abarrio puts on a good performance in that race, it will likely lead to a start in the Gr.1 Whitney on Aug. 3. After that, the plan is for White Abarrio to return to Southern California for the Breeders' Cup Classic, which will be held at Del Mar on Nov. 2 this year.
“That’s what seems to be a natural, mapped-out plan for the horse,” Dutrow said. “I’m not trying to do anything other than let the horse get ready for a race and hopefully it’s the Met Mile, and then we go from there.”
After being transferred from Saffie Joseph Jr., White Abarrio's first start for Dutrow saw him finish third in the Met Mile at Belmont Park. He then delivered an impressive performance, winning the Whitney by 6 1/4 lengths. Three months later, White Abarrio went on to win the BC Classic at Santa Anita.
However, in his recent seasonal debut at the $20 million Saudi Cup on Feb. 24, White Abarrio put up a disappointing performance and finished 10th. Despite this, Dutrow has not been able to come up with any plausible explanation for the lackluster show.
“e have not seen anything with this horse that any horseman does not want to see, so I have no idea why he didn’t show up in Saudi,” Dutrow said.
White Abarrio had his first workout since the Saudi Cup last Saturday, running a half-mile in 47.47 seconds over the Belmont training track. It was the sixth-fastest time out of 171 timed works at the same distance.
“It was a nice, easy breeze,” Dutrow said. “It looked to me like he went in 50. When they told me the time I was okay with it, it didn’t bother me at all, because I saw how he went by me and it was as comfortable as you’d want to see a horse go by you. So, we’re just going to move forward with it.”
Planning Messier's Next Move After Excelsior Disqualification
Dutrow is deciding Messier's next move following his disqualification in the Excelsior Stakes. Despite the setback, Dutrow was pleased with Messier's performance, considering it was his first start after undergoing throat surgery to improve his breathing.
“I was worried about two things: number one the throat operation, but that clearly worked, which made us ecstatic,” Dutrow said. “Number two, I thought I was forcing him into that spot, but it just didn’t look like a really tough spot and he’s run good going a mile and an eighth before.”
Dutrow said since the Excelsior he has equipped Messier with glue-on shoes on his two front feet while also doing some work on his hind end. A start in the Grade 3 Westchester at Belmont at Aqueduct on May 3 or a third-level allowance could be Messier’s next race.
“We gave him an oil change after he ran, which is good, even a Mercedes needs an oil change and he is a nice horse,” Dutrow said.
Dutrow said that Kinetic Sky, who won the Stymie on March 2 but was fifth in the Excelsior, has since undergone a throat operation.
Dutrow said Petulante was scratched from Saturday’s Carter due “to some aches and pains” that have previously plagued him.
“We’ll try to catch up with him and take good care of him,” Dutrow said.