Joseph Jr. Looking for Redemption in Pegasus World Cup?

[Wandering Eyes]

HALLANDALE, FLORIDA–One year ago, trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. couldn't have been flying higher after White Abarrio (Race Day) ran away to a sparkling 6 1/4-length victory in the GI Pegasus World Cup Invitational at Gulfstream Park. The victory had capped a roller coaster ride for Joseph after the grey had previously won the GI Whitney and GI Breeders' Cup Classic for trainer Rick Dutrow Jr., but things seemed to go off course after that. Back under the supervision of Joseph at Gulfstream in the fall of 2024, the grey appeared to have finally turned things around, winning three out of four starts for the Florida-based trainer, however, a trio of off-the-board finishes in Grade I company at Saratoga signaled another cooling off period.

And then, the Breeders' Cup at Del Mar.

Entered in the GI Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile, White Abarrio was unceremoniously scratched by the track veterinarian mere moments before the race, prompting the horses' connections–C2 Racing Stable, Gary Barber and La Milagrosa Stable–to launch an investigation into the matter.

While failing to achieve any sort of official action from the ensuing litigation, Joseph remains steadfast that the scratch was unwarranted. Unraced since finishing fifth in last summer's GI Jockey Club Gold Cup, the 7-year-old faces the daunting task of trying to win another Pegasus World Cup on Saturday.

Accompanied by Irad Ortiz Jr., White Abarrio posted his latest workout on Jan. 18, going four furlongs in :51.4 (83/86).

“Last year we went in full of confidence,” said Joseph Jr. said. “This year, it's a different set of circumstances.”

Asked how the long stint away from the races might affect his title defense, Joseph explained, “I don't think it's going to be fitness, because he's never had any down time. He would always gallop, gallop, gallop. When you have down time that's when you run into fitness issues.”

Given a 4-1 chance on the morning line, White Abarrio will have to contend with the less-than-ideal post 11.

“Nothing you can do about that. It is what it is,” Joseph said. “Irad is the best at working out bad posts. The break's the most important thing from any draw.”

Hoping to turn the page on 2025 with White Abarrio, Joseph also returns to the Pegasus program with another World Cup prospect. Daniel Alonso's Skippylongstocking (Exaggerator) enters the fray off of last-out victory in Gulfstream's GIII Harlan's Holiday Stakes on Dec. 20.

Last season's GII Hollywood Gold Cup winner will be making his fourth start in the race, having finished achieved his best finish when third behind his stablemate last year.

“There's confidence that he can win it,” Joseph said. “He's had the right preparation.”

The 7-year-old finished seventh in the 2023 renewal of the race and after breaking from post 12, he was pulled up and walked off in 2024. In 2025, the bay broke from post 9.

“Skippy is a hard-trying horse,” Joseph said. “The draw didn't treat White Abarrio good, but I think he can overcome it. Skippy drew better. The last couple years, [Skippylongstocking has] drawn bad. He's doing well and he goes over there with a very good chance.”

In other Pegasus World Cup action, Joseph is also well represented in the GII Pegasus World Cup Filly and Mare Turf, sending out In Our Time (Not This Time) and Movin' On Up (Accelerate).

Joseph won last year's renewal of the race with Be Your Best, with In Our Time finishing third.

Campaigned by Resolute Racing and Miller Racing, stakes winner In Our Time was last seen finishing second in the GI Matriarch at Del Mar in November.

“In Our Time's goal was this race after finishing third last year,” he said. “She's coming off a big run.”

Movin' On Up, two for three over the course, enters off a second-place finish in Gulftsream's Suwannee River Stakes over a mile on Dec. 20.

“Movin' On Up is also doing well,” he said. “Obviously, she loves the course and has the course record on the track. She ran well last time. Hopefully, she'll run big again this time.”

Of his World Cup chances this weekend, Joseph was pragmatic.

“There's a lot of horses with chances,” he said. “Hopefully, we'll win back-to-back.”

Additionally, Joseph's other chances on the stakes undercard include GSW Indy Bay (Take Charge Indy), who heads a trio of runners for the trainer in the GII Inside Information Stakes. Victorious in the GII Charles Town Oaks last August, the 4-year-old was last seen being eased in the GI Cotillion Stakes at Parx in September. Joseph also saddles Claret Beret (Not This Time) and last season's GIII Royal Delta winner and GI Ogden Phipps runner-up Dazzling Move (Not This Time).

He also saddles Venencia (Recoletos {Fr}) and Ramsey Pond (Divisdero) in the renamed GIII Christophe Clement Stakes.

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