Joseph’s White Abarrio chasing Kentucky Derby

KENTUCKY – The Caribbean will be ably represented at Saturday’s Kentucky Derby with Barbadian horse trainer Saffie Joseph Jr.’s White Abarrio one of the favourites in the prestigious race.

And although acknowledging the 148th running of the race will be a competitive one, the Miami-based Joseph says if his grey colt “brings his ‘A’ game, we’re right there with them”.

“We’re happy where we’re at. It seems like he’s showing the right settings,” the 35-year-old trainer said after a session on Thursday ahead of the race at Churchill Downs in Louisville, the first leg of the American Triple Crown.

“Basically, you want to adopt the philosophy that it’s just another race — but of course most definitely it’s not just another race. You don’t want to overthink it too much, and you want to stay with the system that’s working for you.”

White Abarrio drew the No. 15 post and will have Tyler Gaffalione as his jockey for the Derby.

Coming out of Thursday’s routine gallop, Joseph is pleased with how White Abarrio is performing.

“He’s doing well,” he said after the grey colt went out with exercise rider Vincente Gudiel. “He had a good gallop this morning. He’s showing good energy, and is moving well.”

White Abarrio has won four of five career starts, including the Florida Derby last month. His sole loss was at Churchill Downs, in the G2 Kentucky Jockey Club last November when he finished third, behind Smile Happy and Classic Causeway. He will face those two colts again on Saturday.

Joseph made his first training appearance in the 2020 Kentucky Derby in a delayed running due to the COVID-19 pandemic, finishing eighth with NY Traffic. (CMC)