White Abarrio triumphs in Florida Derby; Kathleen O. best in Gulfstream Oaks

Apr 03, 2022 Vance Hanson/Brisnet.com

White Abarrio on Saturday fulfilled trainer Saffie Joseph's long-time
dream of winning the $1 million Florida Derby (G1), and now heads back to
Churchill Downs for a crack at the May 7 Kentucky Derby (G1).

'It means everything,' Joseph said. 'This is my home track and I grew up
seeing the Florida Derby. It's right up there with the Kentucky Derby for me,
especially since we're based here.'

White Abarrio maintained his perfect record over the Gulfstream strip,
rallying from a few lengths off the pace to claim the 1 1/8-mile Florida Derby
by 1 1/4 lengths while giving jockey Tyler Gaffalione his fourth stakes win on
the program. Charge It, making his stakes debut after breaking his maiden last
out, turned in a terrific effort to finish second but showed greenness while
attempting to close the gap on the winner.

Simplification, the 2-1 favorite, raced closer to the lead than he had in
winning last month's Fountain of Youth (G2). He raced in second most of the way
before tiring late to third, one length behind Charge It. Pappacap, who briefly
led over Simplification at the six-furlong point after making a middle move,
weakened to fourth.

Rounding out the order of finish was O Captain, Steal Sunshine, Strike Hard,
Cajun's Magic, King of Truth, Clapton, and Tampa Bay Derby (G2) winner Classic Causeway, who faded badly after setting the pace for a half-mile.

White Abarrio, who races for C2 Racing Stable and La Milagrosa Stable,
finished up nine panels in 1:50.64 and paid $7.80 as the second choice.

Last seen taking the Holy Bull (G3) by 4 1/2 lengths on Feb. 5, White Abarrio
purposely bypassed the Fountain of Youth, but the plan to train up to the
Florida Derby almost hit a major hurdle when the colt came down with a fever
last week. He quickly recovered, though, and got in a final major workout.

'That's what good horses do,' Joseph said. 'They're able to overcome trainer
errors and things that don't go right.'

White Abarrio earned 100 qualifying points toward the Kentucky Derby,
boosting his total to 112. Charge It earned 40 points, likely ensuring his spot
in the Derby starting gate. Simplification increased his total to 74 points from
54 points, while Pappacap secured 10 more points and now has 24.

Although White Abarrio is perfect from four starts at his home base, he will
have to prove he can carray that form to Churchill Downs. In his last trip there,
for the Kentucky Jockey Club (G2) last November, the gray finished six lengths
third behind Smile Happy.

'We're going to go to Churchill and keep dreaming,' Joseph said.

Bred in Kentucky by Spendthrift Farm, White Abarrio is by Race Day and out of
Catching Diamonds, by Into Mischief. He sold for $40,000 as an OBS March
juvenile.

Kathleen O. was heavily favored, at 1-2, in the $250,000 Gulfstream Park Oaks
(G2), and did not disappoint. After trailing for the opening
half-mile, Kathleen O. made a wide bid into contention, ranged up alongside
second choice Goddess of Fire on the far turn, and then put that rival away in
the stretch to win by 2 3/4 lengths under Javier Castellano.

Owned by Winngate Stables and trained by Shug McGaughey, Kathleen O. covered
1 1/16 miles in 1:43.75 and returned $3. Goddess of Fire finished more than 17
lengths ahead of Running Legacy, who was 3 1/2 lengths ahead of fourth-placed
Amani's Image. Blustery and Cancel This rounded out the order of finish.

Kathleen O., who already cemented a spot in the Kentucky Oaks (G1) with a
two-length tally in last month's Davona Dale (G2), earned an additional 100
qualifying points toward the nine-furlong test and now has 150 points in total.
Goddess of Fire also ensured a spot in the Oaks earning 40 points, increasing
her total to 62 points. Running Legacy earned 20 points and Amani's Image 10
points, though neither are presently nominated to the Oaks.

'The Kentucky Oaks (G1) is a big spot for me,' said McGaughey, whose only
victory in the Churchill Downs fixture occurred back in 1993 with Dispute. 'I've
won it one time. I don't remember the thrill. I'd like to have it again.'

Kathleen O. enters the Oaks undefeated from four starts. Prior to her wins in
the Davona Dale and Gulfstream Park Oaks, she won on debut by a head at Aqueduct
in November before following up with an 8 1/2-length tally in the Cash Run S. at
Gulfstream on Jan. 1. She's bankrolled $379,730.

Bred in Kentucky by Gainesway Thoroughbreds and Bridlewood Farm, Kathleen O.
was most recently a $275,000 OBS juvenile purchase. By Upstart, she was produced
by the stakes-placed Quaver, by Blame.