Trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. reached a significant milestone on Saturday when two horses from his stable secured the top two positions in the Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes at Gulfstream Park. Despite the high-profile win by Skippy Longstocking, Joseph’s emotions were deeply tied to the runner-up, White Avario.
White Avario initially led the race strongly, appearing poised to repeat the prior year’s Pegasus victory, but was ultimately overtaken by stablemate Skippy Longstocking, who delivered a stunning upset at 21-1 odds, winning by 1 ¾ lengths.
In the winner’s circle, Joseph became emotional while praising White Avario’s performance, saying, “I’m very proud of White Avario. I feel bad for Skippy because all I could think about was Avario. I can’t believe how well Avario ran, especially given his lack of preparation. I’m so proud of both of them and very thankful.”
White Avario’s recent months have been challenging. In late August at the Grade 1 Jockey Club Gold Cup Stakes at Saratoga, jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. was unseated shortly after the start during a ride on Mind Frame, which was White Avario’s last race before this event. In November, White Avario was scratched from the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile due to concerns about potential front-left leg lameness noted by veterinarians. He was also withdrawn from the Grade 3 Mr. Prospector Stakes, a key prep race for Pegasus, after entries had been finalized.
Joseph admitted, “I was just hoping for Avario to come back safely. He emerged from the Breeders’ Cup incident under intense scrutiny, and that was my greatest concern today. If he came back strong, then it was a good day. I simply wanted this day to be over and for him to finish safely.”
This story originally appeared in the News section of the Paulick Report on January 26, 2026.
Fan Take: This emotional showdown highlights the resilience and heart of racehorses like White Avario, reminding fans why horse racing is as much about grit as it is about glory. Joseph’s proud words underscore the unpredictable drama that keeps the sport compelling and hopeful for future champions.
