The 7-year-old White Avario, representing C2 Racing Stables, Gary Barber Stables, and La Milagrosa Stables, is gearing up to defend his title in the $3 million Pegasus World Cup (G1) scheduled for January 24. On Sunday at Gulfstream Park, he completed a breezy three-furlong workout in 40.23 seconds, marking his first activity since December 11. Having earned over $7 million and multiple G1 victories, White Avario hasn’t raced since finishing fourth in the Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1) at Saratoga on August 31. After traveling cross-country to Del Mar for the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (G1) on November 1, his plans were disrupted by a late veterinary injury.
Trainer Safi Joseph Jr. commented on the recent windy workout, saying the timing was a bit delayed but necessary to ensure the horse was comfortable with recent adjustments. Joseph expressed optimism about White Avario’s progress and expects some crucial training next Sunday. White Avario was previously injured on December 27 in Gulfstream’s Mr. Prospector (G3), a race he had finished second in early 2024 while preparing for Pegasus and where he won by 6 1/4 lengths last year, marking Pegasus’ biggest victory since its inception in 2017.
Knightsbridge, who finished third in that race, was victorious in the previous Mr. Prospector by 4/4 of a length, marking back-to-back wins after a long rest. Joseph noted they were cautious about rushing White Avario back for the Mr. Prospector because they wanted to avoid mediocre results and believed Knightsbridge was strong competition. He decided it was better to give White Avario extra time to recover, and now the horse is back on track.
At Gulfstream’s satellite facility Palm Meadows in Palm Beach County, Live Oak Plantation’s Grade 1 winner And One More Time clocked the fastest half-mile time on Sunday, finishing in 47.65 seconds. Trainer Mark Casse’s 4-year-old filly, who narrowly missed first place in Gulfstream’s Tropical Park Oaks on December 13, is a leading contender for the $500,000 Pegasus World Cup Mares Turf (G2).
Meanwhile, Ammerman Racing’s Group 1 winner Test Score completed a five-furlong gallop in 1:01.40 on Palm Meadows’ firm turf ahead of the $1 million Pegasus World Cup Turf (G1). The Graham Motion trainee recently finished just half a length behind in third place at the Hollywood Derby (G1) on November 29.
Fan Take: This update on White Avario’s recovery and training progress is exciting for horse racing enthusiasts, signaling a thrilling defense of his Pegasus World Cup title. It highlights the intense preparation and care top horses receive, promising fierce competition and memorable moments in the sport’s prestigious events.
