Following an impressive 10 1/4-length allowance romp in his return to the races, 2023 Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) winner White Abarrio jumps back into graded company as he faces 11 rivals in the $165,000 Mr. Prospector Stakes (G3) at Gulfstream Park Dec. 28.
The Nov. 22 victory at the same course and seven-furlong distance that he'll face Saturday came on the heels of a 5 1/2-month layoff since a soundly beaten fifth in the June 8 Metropolitan Handicap (G1). It was also his first start back in the Florida-based barn of his original trainer Saffie Joseph Jr., who trained the horse for his first 12 starts that included a victory in the 2022 Florida Derby (G1).
PRESS RELEASE: White Abarrio Resumes Racing Nov. 22 at Gulfstream Park
A return to the Florida sun was just what the doctor ordered for the 5-year-old son of Race Day as he improved his record at Gulfstream to 6-for-7. Despite being known for his success at longer routes, White Abarrio holds a perfect 2-for-2 record over seven furlongs, both contested at Gulfstream.
Owned by C 2 Racing Stable, Prince Faisal Bin Khaled Bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud and Antonio Pagnano, White Abarrio has won eight of 18 starts for earnings of $5,213,350.
One of his prinicipal rivals comes in the form of Carlos Saavedra and Stud Vendaval's Mufasa, who exits a disappointing run in the Nov. 2 Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (G1).
Prior to that 11th-place finish around two turns at Del Mar, the Chilean group 3 winner introduced himself to American audiences with a pair of open-length victories over seven furlongs. The latter of the two came Sept. 28 at Aqueduct Racetrack when he won the Vosburgh Stakes (G3) over a sloppy track by 4 1/4 lengths.
The Ignacio Correas trainee makes his fifth start in the United States at a fifth different track, but holds a perfect 4-for-4 record at the distance.
Lea Farms' Super Chow is aiming to end the year the way he began it, rallying off three grade 3 wins in a four-race span at Aqueduct and Pimlico Race Course. However, he's failed to hit the board in his last three starts, finishing fourth in each.
Like White Abarrio, the 4-year-old son of Lord Nelson has shown an affinity for Gulfstream, hitting the board in all six starts and visiting the winner's circle three times.
Half the field has won multiple starts at the Hallandale Beach, Fla. track, with the second-most victories belonging to Bianco Stable's Caramel Chip, who exits a third in the Nov. 16 Claiming Crown at Churchill Downs for trainer Carlos David. The 6-year-old son of Midshipman has won five of 15 starts at Gulfstream, hitting the board eight times.
Stakes winner Shaq Diesel has won four times at Gulfstream, Real Macho three times, and Mr Skylight twice.
Joseph Imbesi's Pennylvania homebred Gordian Knot, a five-time stakes winner and grade 3 placed in his home state, makes his first start for Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher.
Gulfstream Park, Saturday, December 28, 2024, Race 10Entries: Mr. Prospector S. (G3)
PP Horse Jockey Wgt Trainer M/L 1 Playmea Tune (ON) Edwin Gonzalez 122 Josie Carroll - 2 Mr Skylight (KY) Junior Alvarado 120 Riley Mott - 3 Super Chow (KY) David Egan 124 Jorge Delgado - 4 Gordian Knot (PA) John R. Velazquez 122 Todd A. Pletcher - 5 Real Macho (KY) Emisael Jaramillo 122 Rohan Crichton - 6 Mufasa (CHI) Tyler Gaffalione 126 Ignacio Correas IV - 7 El Principito (FL) Luca Panici 118 Michael V. Laurato - 8 Little Vic (KY) Leonel Reyes 122 Juan Carlos Avila - 9 Illuminare (KY) Luis Saez 118 Todd A. Pletcher - 10 White Abarrio (KY) Irad Ortiz, Jr. 122 Saffie A. Joseph, Jr. - 11 Shaq Diesel (FL) Miguel Angel Vasquez 122 David Fawkes - 12 Caramel Chip (KY) Edgard J. Zayas 120 Carlos A. David -
