White Abarrio and O’Connor, two-thirds of trainer Saffie Joseph Jr.’s scheduled starters in the Grade 1, $3 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational at Gulfstream Park next Saturday, turned in final breezes Friday morning.
The winner of the $1 million Florida Derby (G1) last season and the Chilean Group 1 winner are among the 12 top older horses in North America scheduled to compete in next weekend's seventh running of the 1 1/8-mile Pegasus World Cup, which will headline a stellar stakes-laden 13-race program.
White Abarrio, owned by C2 Racing Stable and La Milagrosa Stable, geared up for the Pegasus during a half-mile workout in 47.90 seconds at Gulfstream Park under jockey Tyler Gaffalione. The 4-year-old son of Race Day produced the third-fastest clocking of 45 recorded at the distance.
“He started off easy and finished his last quarter in 23 (seconds) flat,” Joseph said. “Tyler was very happy with him. We were also happy, visually.”
Friday’s breeze was the sixth in a series of workouts at Gulfstream, where White Abarrio is undefeated in four starts, including the Florida Derby and Holy Bull (G3) last season.
O’Connor, owned by Fernando Vine Ode and Michael and Jules Iavarone, breezed five furlongs in 1:00.61 at Palm Meadows under Hall of Fame jockey Javier Castellano.
“O’Connor worked in company. He sat off a workmate and finished up nicely. He galloped out strong,” Joseph said. “Everything seems to be in good order. His last quarter was in ... (23. 60 seconds). It was a good solid work.”
White Abarrio, who most recently finished a close third in the Cigar Mile Handicap (G1) at Aqueduct, and O’Connor, who captured his U.S. debut before disappointing in the Dec. 31 Harlan’s Holiday (G3), are expected to be joined in the Pegasus starting gate by stablemate Skippylongstocking, last year’s third-place finisher in the Belmont Stakes who won the Harlan’s Holiday. The Joseph-trained Skippylongstocking is scheduled to breeze Saturday at Palm Meadows.
White Abarrio was one of 30 U.S. and Canadian graded-stakes winners recording timed workouts on Friday. The others were:
Channel Maker (English Channel), a four-time Grade 1 winner, worked five furlongs in 1:03.4 on turf at Payson Park Training Center on Friday morning. It was the third fastest of four works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going five furlongs at Payson Park Training Center. In his last start he placed seventh in the Breeders' Cup Turf going 1 1/2 miles on the turf at Keeneland on Nov. 5 for trainer Bill Mott.
Taiba (Gun Runner), a three-time Grade 1 winner (2022 Malibu, 2022 Pennsylvania Derby, 2022 Santa Anita Derby), worked four furlongs in 48.8 seconds at Santa Anita on Friday morning. It was the 26th fastest of 57 works at the distance. His previous work was 12 days ago going four furlongs at Santa Anita. In his last start he won the Malibu (G1) going seven furlongs on the main track at Santa Anita on Dec. 26 for trainer Bob Baffert.
Bleecker Street (Quality Road), a Grade 1 winner (2022 New York), worked three furlongs in 38.2 seconds at Payson Park Training Center on Friday morning. It was the eighth fastest of 18 works at the distance. this was her first work since her last race. In her last start she placed third in the Diana (G1) going 1 1/8 miles on the turf at Saratoga on July 16 for trainer Chad Brown.
Henley's Joy (Kitten's Joy), a Grade 1 winner (2019 Belmont Derby Invitational), worked four furlongs in 48.8 seconds at Casse Training Center on Friday morning. It was the fifth fastest of 12 works at the distance. This was his first work since his last race. In his last start he placed fifth in an allowance race going 1 1/16 miles on the synthetic at Turfway Park on Jan. 4 for trainer Mark Casse.
Matareya (Pioneerof the Nile), a Grade 1 winner (2022 Acorn), worked three furlongs in 37.8 seconds at Fair Grounds on Friday morning. It was the ninth fastest of 19 works at the distance. This was her first work since her last race. In her last start she placed third in the Test (G1) going seven furlongs on the main track at Saratoga on Aug. 6 for trainer Brad Cox.
Faiza (Girvin), a Grade 1 winner (2022 Starlet), worked five furlongs in 59.6 seconds at Santa Anita on Friday morning. It was the fifth fastest of 76 works at the distance. Her previous work was six days ago going five furlongs at Santa Anita. In her last start she won the Starlet (G1) going 1 1/16 miles on the main track at Los Alamitos Race Course on Dec. 10 for Baffert.
Decorated Invader (Declaration of War), a two-time Grade 2 winner (2020 National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame, 2020 Pennine Ridge), worked five furlongs in 1:02.0 on turf at Payson Park Training Center on Friday morning. It was the fastest of four works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going five furlongs at Payson Park Training Center. In his last start he placed second in the Ft. Lauderdale (G2) going 1 1/8 miles on the turf at Gulfstream Park on Dec. 31 for trainer Christophe Clement.
Forbidden Kingdom (American Pharoah), a two-time Grade 2 winner (2022 San Felipe, 2022 San Vicente), worked three furlongs in 34.6 seconds at Santa Anita on Friday morning. It was the fastest of 9 works at the distance. This was his first work since his last race. In his last start he placed second in the Malibu (G1) going seven furlongs on the main track at Santa Anita on Dec. 26 for trainer Richard Mandella.
Royal Ship (Midshipman), a two-time Grade 2 winner (2022 San Diego H., 2021 Californian), worked four furlongs in 46.4 seconds at Santa Anita on Friday morning. It was the fastest of 57 works at the distance. His previous work was sevemn days ago going four furlongs at Santa Anita. In his last start he placed sixth in the Awesome Again (G1) going 1 1/8 miles on the main track at Santa Anita on Oct. 1 for Mandella.
Tiz the Bomb (Hit It a Bomb), a Grade 2 winner (2021 Bourbon), worked five furlongs in 1:01.4 at Fair Grounds on Friday morning. It was the 12th fastest of 52 works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going four furlongs at Fair Grounds. In his last start he placed fourth in the National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame (G2) going one mile on the turf at Saratoga on Aug. 5 for trainer Kenny McPeek.
Interstatedaydream (Classic Empire), a Grade 2 winner (2022 Black-Eyed Susan), worked four furlongs in 49.4 seconds at Fair Grounds on Friday morning. It was the 26th fastest of 82 works at the distance. Her previous work was seven days ago going three furlongs at Fair Grounds. In her last start she placed second in the Cathryn Sophia going one mile 70 yards on the main track at Parx Racing on Aug. 23 for Cox.
One More Bid (California Chrome), a Grade 2 winner (2022 Santa Anita Mathis Mile), worked five furlongs in 58.6 seconds at Santa Anita on Friday morning. It was the second fastest of 76 works at the distance. His previous work was eight days ago going four furlongs at Santa Anita. In his last start he won the Santa Anita Mathis Mile (G2) going one mile on the turf at Santa Anita on Dec. 26 for trainer Ryan Hanson.
Andthewinneris (Oscar Performance), a Grade 2 winner (2022 Bourbon), worked five furlongs in 1:01.8 at Fair Grounds on Friday morning. It was the 19th fastest of 52 works at the distance. His previous work was 10 days ago going four furlongs at Fair Grounds. In his last start he placed fifth in the Gun Runner going 1 1/16 miles on the main track at Fair Grounds on Dec. 26 for trainer Wayne Catalano.
Kiss Today Goodbye (Cairo Prince), a Grade 2 winner (2020 San Antonio), worked five furlongs in 1:00.8 at Los Alamitos on Friday morning. It was the sixth fastest of eight works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going four furlongs at Los Alamitos. In his last start he placed seventh in the Joe Hernandez (G2) going 6 /2 furlongs on the turf at Santa Anita on Dec. 31 for trainer Eric Kruljac.
City Man (Mucho Macho Man), a Grade 2 winner (2022 Fort Lauderdale), worked five furlongs in 1:02.0 on turf at Payson Park Training Center on Friday morning. It was the fastest of four works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going five furlongs at Payson Park Training Center. In his last start he won the Fort Lauderdale (G2) going 1 1/8 miles on the turf at Gulfstream Park on Dec. 31 for Clement.
Becca Taylor (Old Topper), a Grade 2 winner (2022 Great Lady M), worked three furlongs in 36.4 seconds at Santa Anita on Friday morning. It was the fourth fastest of 12 works at the distance. Her previous work was six days ago going three furlongs at Santa Anita. In her last start she won the Great Lady M (G2) going 6 1/2 furlongs on the main track at Los Alamitos Race Course on July 4 for trainer Steven Miyadi.
Du Jour (Temple City), a Grade 2 winner (2021 American Turf), worked four furlongs in 47.2 seconds at Santa Anita on Friday morning. It was the fastest of 26 works at the distance. His previous work was 11 days ago going five furlongs at Santa Anita. In his last start he placed fifth in the Santa Anita Mathis Mile (G2) going one mile on the main track at Santa Anita on Dec. 26 for trainer Bob Baffert.
Air Force Red (Air Force Blue), a Grade 2 winner (2022 Joe Hernandez), worked five furlongs in 1:03.2 at Santa Anita on Friday morning. It was the 72nd fastest of 76 works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going four furlongs at Santa Anita. In his last start he won the Joe Hernandez (G2) going 6 1/2 furlongs on the turf at Santa Anita on Dec. 31 for trainer Leonard Powell.
Spooky Channel (English Channel), a three-time Grade 3 winner (2021 Sycamore, 2021 John B. Connally Turf Cup, 2020 McKnight), worked five furlongs in 1:03.8 at Fair Grounds on Friday morning. It was the 46th fastest of 52 works at the distance. His previous work was six days ago going four furlongs at Fair Grounds. In his last start he won the Buddy Diliberto Memorial going 1 1/16 miles on the turf at Fair Grounds on Dec. 26 for trainer Jason Barkley.
Heywoods Beach (Speightstown), a two-time Grade 3 winner (2022 Tokyo City Cup, 2022 Cougar II), worked five furlongs in 1:01.0 at Santa Anita on Friday morning. It was the 24th fastest of 76 works at the distance. His previous work was 11 days ago going four furlongs at Santa Anita. In his last start he placed third in the San Antonio (G2) going 1 1/16 miles on the main track at Santa Anita on Dec. 26 for trainer John Sadler.
Chateau (Flat Out), a Grade 3 winner (2021 Tom Fool Handicap) worked four furlongs in 50.0 seconds at Belmont Park on Friday morning. It was the second fastest of 10 works at the distance. This was his first work since his last race. In his last start he placed third in an allowance race going six furlongs on the main track at Aqueduct on Dec. 30 for trainer Rob Atras.
Like the King (Palace Malice), a Grade 3 winner (2021 Jeff Ruby Steaks), worked four furlongs in 48.6 seconds at Casse Training Center on Friday morning. It was the third fastest of 12 works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going four furlongs at Casse Training Center. In his last start he placed fourth in an allowance race going one mile on the synthetic at Turfway Park on Dec. 1 for Casse.
Adventuring (Pioneerof the Nile), a Grade 3 winner (2022 Ladies Marathon), worked four furlongs in 50.2 seconds at Fair Grounds on Friday morning. It was the 46th fastest of 82 works at the distance. Her previous work was seven days ago going five furlongs at Fair Grounds. In her last start she placed third in the Cardinal (G3) going 1 1/8 miles on the turf at Churchill Downs on Nov. 24 for Cox.
Cavalry Charge (Honor Code), a Grade 3 winner (2022 Fair Grounds), worked five furlongs in 1:01.4 at Fair Grounds on Friday morning. It was the 12th fastest of 52 works at the distance. His previous work was eight days ago going four furlongs at Fair Grounds. In his last start he placed eighth in the Mint Million (G3) going one mile on the turf at Kentucky Downs on Sept. 10 for trainer Dallas Stewart.
Hidden Connection (Connect), a Grade 3 winner (2021 Pocahontas), worked five furlongs in 1:02.0 at Fair Grounds on Friday morning. It was the 24th fastest of 52 works at the distance. Her previous work was seven days ago going five furlongs at Fair Grounds. In her last start she won an allowance race going 1 1/16 miles on the main track at Fair Grounds on Dec. 16 for trainer Bret Calhoun.
Faith in Humanity (Lope de Vega), a Grade 3 winner (2022 Pebbles), worked three furlongs in 38.4 seconds at Payson Park Training Center on Friday morning. It was the 11th fastest of 18 works at the distance. this was her first work since her last race. In her last start she won thePebbles (G3) going one mile on the turf at Belmont at the Big A on Sept. 18 for Brown.
Gray's Fable (Gio Ponti), a Grade 3 winner (2021 Appleton), worked four furlongs in 47.8 seconds on turf at Palm Meadows Training Center on Friday morning. It was the fifth fastest of 39 works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going four furlongs at Palm Meadows Training Center. In his last start he placed 10th in the Coolmore Turf Mile (G1) going one mile on the turf at Keeneland on Oct. 8 for trainer Brian Lynch.
Lady T (Into Mischief), a Grade 3 winner (2022 Las Flores), worked five furlongs in 58.4 seconds at Santa Anita on Friday morning. It was the fastest of 76 works at the distance. Her previous work was 7 days ago going four furlongs at Santa Anita. In her last start she won the Las Flores (G3) going six furlongs on the main track at Santa Anita on Dec. 31 for trainer John Shirreffs.
Comanche Country (Highland Reel), a Grade 3 winner (2022 Surfer Girl), worked three furlongs in 36.8 seconds at Santa Anita on Friday morning. It was the sixth fastest of 12 works at the distance. This was her first work since her last race. In her last start she placed seventh in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf going one mile on the turf at Keeneland on Nov. 4 for trainer Philip D'Amato.
