White Abarrio asserts class with confident BC Classic triumph

The buzz horse of the handicap division since his romp in the Whitney, bettors believed White Abarrio could ran back to that promise, betting him down to 5-2 favoritism in the $6 million Breeders' Cup Classic. The striking grey delivered in confident stalk-and-pounce fashion.

Arabian Knight (3-1), drawn second from the outside, hustled to the lead. Saudi Crown (7-1) positioned himself just off the pacesetter early, tracking in closest range through an opening quarter of 22.46 seconds and a half of 45.73, sharp for the 1 1/4-mile distance. White Abarrio followed  behind those leaders, with Derma Sotogake (25-1) in range as well.

Around the far turn White Abarrio got his cue and responded with a move outside of Arabian Knight and Saudi Crown. Arabian Knight kept on inside as White Abarrio took the lead into the lane, but ultimately proved no match for the winner. Under jockey Irad Ortiz Jr., White Abarrio kept finding to cross the wire a length in front.

Derma Sotogake, unraced since the Kentucky Derby, overtook Arabian Knight in the lane to finish second. It was another 1 1/4 lengths back to Proxy (17-1), who broke from the outside and finished with late vigor to catch Arabian Knight by a neck for show. Ushba Tesoro (7-2) completed the high five.

White Abarrio finished the 1 1/4 miles in 2:02.87 over fast Santa Anita dirt. 12 horses ran after the Tuesday-morning retirement of Arcangelo, listed as a trainer's scratch.

A 4-year-old son of Race Day, White Abarrio is trained by Rick Dutrow. The win extends his career record to 15: 7-1-3. It was his third career Grade 1 win, after the 2022 Florida Derby and the 2023 Whitney.