HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – White Abarrio completed serious preparations for the $3 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational on Thursday morning, breezing an easy half-mile in 48.27 seconds over a quicker-than-usual track at Gulfstream Park.
Going in company with regular workmate Silver Moonlight, White Abarrio posted a 24.40 opening quarter-mile split and was hard held to finish about a head in front while working nearest the rail. He then pulled away readily on the gallop-out, easing up five furlongs in 1:01.29.
“He had his strong work last week, this was just maintenance,” trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. said. “I had him on the inside this morning just to put him in a different spot this week. He poked his head in front at the end. The rider never let him run. I decided to work him today instead of waiting for the weekend because I want a fresh horse in the gate for the race. The draw and the break is very important in a race like this.”
The field for the 2025 Pegasus World Cup will be drawn Sunday.
White Abarrio was joined on Thursday’s tab by trainer Gustavo Delgado’s top 3-year-old prospect Ferocious, who breezed an easy half-mile of his own in 48.17 with jockey Javier Castellano aboard. Ferocious, who has not started since finishing a troubled fifth in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, cruised an opening quarter in 24.10 and galloped out with tons of energy, completing five furlongs in 1:00.93 before easing up three-quarters in 1:13.61 while making a very favorable impression throughout.
“Everything we wanted him to accomplish this morning he did,” said Delgado’s son and assistant Gustavo Delgado Jr. “Javier was very happy with him, with the way he traveled. He’s got such a nice stride.”
Delgado said the Grade 3 Holy Bull on Feb. 1 was the original goal for Ferocious’s 3-year-old debut, although that plan is up in the air at the present time.
“He missed a work, so it’s a day-to-day thing at the moment regarding the Holy Bull,” the younger Delgado said. “I’d say it’s about 50-50 right now. We’re not in any rush to try to make the race. We just might need an extra week or two. If we do, we’ll just wait for the Fountain of Youth the following month.”
Ferocious was an easy maiden winner when debuting sensationally last summer at Saratoga. He then finished second in both the Grade 1 Hopeful and Breeders’ Futurity at Keeneland before closing his 2-year-old campaign in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile.
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