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| Staff Writer |
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In a significant development for international racing, Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes winner White Abarrio will bypass the US$20 million Saudi Cup, with trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. prioritising a domestic campaign. The decision comes following the 6YO's commanding victory at Gulfstream Park, with connections reflecting on last year's challenging 24-hour travel ordeal when their flight from Miami was delayed.
C2 Racing Stable's Mark Cornett emphasised that the decision wasn't health-related, noting the Race Day colt had "bounced out well" from his 6 1/4-length triumph in the Pegasus World Cup, marking his first Group One success since the 2023 Breeders' Cup Classic.
The Saudi Cup field faced another major reshaping when Gr.1 Breeders' Cup Classic victor Sierra Leone was withdrawn due to an untimely foot abscess. Trainer Chad Brown remains optimistic about his champion's recovery, explaining: "He seems to be over it now. He's never had any issues with his feet, he's a good-footed horse. It was just something that he developed and got over."
The Gun Runner colt, who races for the partnership of Peter Brant, Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith, Westerberg, and Brook Smith, will now target alternative opportunities. Brown elaborated: "If I'm not going to run him until the Oaklawn Handicap, I don't feel like I'm under any pressure to work him at any specific time. He already was able to get some works in prior to this happening that moved him along fitness-wise."
The withdrawals could pave the way for champion female sprinter Soul of an Angel to join the prestigious field. The Joseph-trained daughter of Atreides, fresh from her Eclipse Award-winning campaign and Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint triumph, has maintained her form with a strong half-mile workout in :47.80 at Gulfstream.
Adding international intrigue, French challenger Facteur Cheval is being prepared for his Saudi Cup bid following an encouraging dirt debut in the Al Maktoum Challenge at Meydan, where he finished third behind Walk Of Stars. Trainer Jerome Reynier expressed confidence in his versatile campaigner's ability to handle the surface switch.
Reynier's Dubai Turf winner represents an intriguing addition to the field, having proven his class across different surfaces. Jockey Mickael Barzalona, who partnered Facteur Cheval in Dubai, believes the Saudi track will suit the 6YO better than Meydan's surface.
The Marseille-based trainer elaborated on their ambitious plans: "He took a lot of kickback in his face from his position that day and in the final furlong he was walking all over them but couldn't find any room. The surface in Saudi is slightly different and Mickael thinks he will be even better on it."
The six-times winner's connections have carefully plotted their campaign, with Reynier noting: "They wanted me to send him to California for the Breeders' Cup Classic last year but I thought the QEII was a better choice – to stay in Europe with a better chance."
White Abarrio will now focus on the March 29 Gr.3 Ghostzapper Stakes at Gulfstream Park before targeting the US$1 million Metropolitan Handicap at Saratoga Race Course, while Sierra Leone sets sights on the US$1.25 million Oaklawn Handicap at Oaklawn Park as his potential seasonal debut.