The prestigious $3 million Pegasus World Cup at Gulfstream Park saw a triumphant return to the winner’s circle for White Abarrio on Saturday. With jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. aboard, the talented 5-year-old colt delivered a command performance, crossing the wire first and cementing his status as one of racing’s elite runners.
Sent off as the 5-2 favorite in a competitive field, White Abarrio broke sharply and settled just off the early pace. As the field turned for home, Ortiz gave his mount the cue, and White Abarrio responded with a devastating turn of foot. He surged to the lead and drew off impressively, completing the 1 1/8 mile journey in a sharp 1:48.05.
Jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. Celebrates Third Pegasus Win
For Irad Ortiz Jr., it was a milestone victory as he captured his third career Pegasus World Cup title. The decorated jockey, known for his well-timed moves and strong finishes, gave White Abarrio a perfect trip.
“He broke great and put me in a great position,” Ortiz said after the race. “When I asked him, he just took off. He was much the best today.”
– Irad Ortiz Jr.
Redemption for Trainer Saffie Joseph Jr.
The Pegasus also marked a redemption of sorts for trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. He had transferred White Abarrio to trainer Rick Dutrow in 2023 when he was barred from racing at Churchill Downs and in New York following the sudden deaths of two of his trainees.
White Abarrio thrived under Dutrow’s care, winning the Breeders’ Cup Classic and the Whitney that year. He returned to Joseph’s barn in June 2024, setting the stage for this emotional Pegasus win. A teary-eyed Joseph summed up his feelings succinctly: “Today he was spectacular. I’m just thankful.”
White Abarrio’s Winning Ways
White Abarrio has now won major races at Gulfstream in three consecutive years. His affinity for the surface was clear as a 3-year-old, when he captured the Florida Derby in 2022 en route to competing in that year’s Kentucky Derby.
While he didn’t factor in the Triple Crown series, White Abarrio blossomed in the summer and fall of his 3-year-old season. His development continued at four, culminating with his victory in the Breeders’ Cup Classic.
- Other Key Pegasus Performances:
- Locked earned second, returning $3.20 and $2.40
- Skippylongstocking rounded out the trifecta, paying $4.40 to show
- White Abarrio paid $7.60 to win as the 5-2 favorite
Chad Brown Wins Pegasus Turf
The undercard featured the $1 million Pegasus Turf, which offered its own dose of excitement. Spirit of St. Louis, with Tyler Gaffalione up for trainer Chad Brown, prevailed by a neck over a determined Integration.
Brown, honored earlier in the week with the Eclipse Award as outstanding trainer, added yet another graded stakes victory to his glittering résumé. Spirit of St. Louis, sent off at odds of 7-1, paid $17.80 to win after completing the 1 1/8 miles on the grass in 1:44.50, just off the course record.
The Pegasus World Cup, now in its seventh year, has quickly established itself as a premier event on the racing calendar. With its lucrative purses and prime placement as a launching pad for the year ahead, it annually draws some of the best dirt horses in training.
For White Abarrio, the Pegasus victory serves as a reminder of both his immense talent and his special connection with Gulfstream Park. As he moves forward to face the many challenges that await a top older horse, all eyes will be watching to see if he can build on this scintillating performance and burnish his legacy as one of the stars of his generation.
