White Abarrio Dominates the 2025 Pegasus World Cup with Record-Breaking Victory

In an electrifying display of speed and power, White Abarrio stamped his authority on the $3 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational at Gulfstream Park on Saturday, January 25, 2025. The 5-year-old gray colt, piloted by jockey Irad Ortiz Jr., covered the 1⅛-mile distance in a stakes-record 1:48.05, clinching a commanding 6¼-length victory and solidifying his status as one of the elite horses in thoroughbred racing.

Sent off as the 5-2 favorite, White Abarrio rewarded his backers with payouts of $7.60, $3.80, and $3. Ortiz, who earned his third career Pegasus World Cup victory, showcased his trademark poise and precision aboard the colt. “This horse gave me everything he had today,” Ortiz said post-race. “When I asked him to go, he responded like a true champion.”

White Abarrio broke cleanly from the gate and settled into a stalking position behind the early pacesetter, Saudi Crown, who set a brisk tempo. Midway through the second turn, White Abarrio ranged up to challenge Saudi Crown, drawing even as they straightened for home. From there, it was all White Abarrio, as he opened up a wide margin through the stretch, leaving the field in his wake. Locked finished a distant second, returning $3.20 and $2.40, while Skippylongstocking rounded out the trifecta, paying $4.40 for third.

White Abarrio’s Pegasus victory adds another glittering accolade to an already illustrious career. In 2023, he captured the $6 million Breeders’ Cup Classic and the prestigious Whitney Stakes at Saratoga, marking him as a dominant force under trainer Rick Dutrow. This success followed his earlier triumph in the 2022 Florida Derby, where he first announced his talent to the racing world.

The road to Pegasus glory has not been without its challenges. White Abarrio’s career took a pivotal turn in 2023 when his original trainer, Florida-based Saffie Joseph Jr., was barred from racing at Churchill Downs and in New York following the sudden deaths of two of his horses. Seeking a path forward, White Abarrio’s owners transferred him to Dutrow, a New York-based trainer, enabling the colt to compete in the Met Mile at Belmont. In June 2024, White Abarrio returned to Joseph’s barn, where he continued to thrive and build toward this latest triumph.

The Pegasus World Cup, established in 2017, has become a premier event in American horse racing, drawing top-tier talent and substantial purses. White Abarrio’s record-setting performance further cements the race’s reputation as a showcase for equine excellence. With this victory, he joins the ranks of other Pegasus greats, leaving an indelible mark on the sport.

As White Abarrio’s connections revel in his Pegasus triumph, the future looks bright for this remarkable colt. Whether he aims for the Saudi Cup or sets his sights on other marquee races, one thing is certain: White Abarrio has etched his name among the legends of the sport, thrilling fans and making history every step of the way.

 

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