White Abarrio laid down an early season marker for the Breeders’ Cup Classic with an eye-catching victory in the Oaklawn Handicap on Saturday.
Much of the pre-race hype centred around the seasonal reappearances of Sovereignty and Journalism, but both horses were left trailing behind Saffie A Joseph Jr’s seven-year-old.
White Abarrio finished second in the Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes earlier this year, but bounced back to winning ways at Oaklawn Park.
Joseph Delighted as White Abarrio Defeats the Big Two
Sovereignty and Journalism set out to make the running, while White Abarrio settled in behind them in third place under jockey Irad Ortiz Jr.
Ortiz rode a confident race, circling around the front two heading into the home straight before securing one of the most impressive horse racing results of the season.
The final time was 1:47.49, which was the fastest running of the Oaklawn Handicap since 1996. Joseph Jr was understandably delighted with the victory.
“We felt like he was going to run his best when his best may not have been good enough and it surely was,” Joseph Jr said.
“Congratulations to the all connections – [owners] Mark Cornett, Gary Barber and La Milagrosa. They’ve been patient and listened to the horse.
“Today we were rewarded in one of the best races in a long, long time. It really materialised, the match-up. Thanks for all my team that worked so hard with this horse.”
Sovereignty Fades After Lengthy Lay-Off
Sovereignty’s connections declared themselves satisfied with the horse’s return to action and admitted that his lengthy lay-off may have taken its toll.
Trainer Bill Mott’s stable star had not run since recording an easy victory in the Travers Stakes at Saratoga Racecourse last October.
Jockey Junior Alvarado was slightly frustrated at being forced to lead the race, but believes he will improve on his next outing.
“I thought White Abarrio was going to go the lead,” Alvarado said. “He ended up taking back and I had Journalism breathing down my neck.
“I was in the middle of both horses, so I couldn’t really take back. If I take back, they walk the dog on the lead. They’re not going to pressure each other.
“But we needed to get a race with the horse. I think he’ll get a lot out of this start and we’ll move forward.”
Journalism Falls Short Once Again
Journalism is arguably more famed for his failure to win big races rather than his victory in the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course last May.
The horse finished second behind Sovereignty in the Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes either side of that win, to leave connections pondering what might have been.
Trainer Michael McCarthy’s charge was unable to reverse the form at Oaklawn, but jockey Jose Ortiz still believes the horse produced a solid run.
“I thought White Abarrio was going to be the speed, but he took back on the first turn,” Ortiz said. “I just sat there next to Sovereignty. We were traveling very good the first half a mile. I was very happy.”
“At the three-eighths pole, I started approaching Sovereignty little by little. I knew White Abarrio was right behind us. I didn’t want to get caught sleeping, so I started asking.
“When we hit the quarter pole, we went all in. White Abarrio’s a very nice horse. Sovereignty’s a very nice horse. For Sovereignty and me, we’re coming back – it was a very good race for both of them.”