White Abarrio

White Abarrio started his career with two consecutive victories at Gulfstream Park in Florida. He won his career debut by 6 3/4 lengths on Sept. 24, then won a first-level allowance optional claiming contest by four lengths on Oct. 29.

White Abarrio made his stakes debut in the Grade 2 Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes at Churchill Downs on Nov. 27. He finished third, beaten six lengths, and earned two points on the Road to the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve in the process. 

In his 3-year-old debut, the Grade 3 Holy Bull Stakes at Gulfstream on Feb. 5, 2022, White Abarrio announced his presence as a legitimate Kentucky Derby contender. He enjoyed a great trip just off the lead and drew off in the stretch to win by 4 1/2 lengths, covering 1 1/16 miles in a solid 1:42.80. He earned 10 qualifying points with that win. 

Trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. decided to keep White Abarrio out of Gulfstream Park’s next Kentucky Derby prep, the Fasig-Tipton Fountain of Youth Stakes, and trained him up to the Curlin Florida Derby Presented by Hill ‘n’ Dale Farm at Xalapa on April 2. The colt spiked a fever days before the race but recovered in time to run, and he needed to finish first or second to earn enough Kentucky Derby qualifying points to secure a trip to Louisville.

White Abarrio aced his test in the Florida Derby with a sweeping rally under Tyler Gaffalione, moving past Simplification in midstretch and then holding off a late challenge from Charge It to win by 1 ¼ lengths. He earned 100 Derby points with the victory.

Sent off at 15.40-1 odds in the Kentucky Derby, White Abarrio never threatened, finishing 16^th of 20. However, he rebounded with a strong runner-up effort behind Tawny Port in his next start, the Grade 3 Ohio Derby at Thistledown on June 25.