Kentucky-bred White Abarrio took command at the top of the lane and went on to score a one-length victory over Derma Sotogake (JPN) to win the 40th running of the $6,000,000 Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) on Saturday, Nov. 4, at Santa Anita.

Trained by Richard Dutrow and ridden by Irad Ortiz Jr., White Abarrio covered the 1 ¼ miles in 2:02.57. The winner tracked the early pace from third behind Arabian Knight and Saudi Crown. White Abarrio shifted out nearing the quarter pole and struck the front three-sixteenths out. He cleared his rivals and held sway to the wire to score by a length in the end. Owned by C2 Racing Stable and La Milagrosa Stable LLC, White Abarrio added $3,120,000 to his coffers with the impressive victory, increasing his lifetime bankroll to $4,946,350. The win, White Abarrio’s third in a Grade 1, improved his record to 15-7-1-3.

Winner of the Whitney S. (G1) in his previous outing in August, White Abarrio won the Florida Derby (G1) at Gulfstream Park in 2022. Bred in Kentucky by Spendthrift Farm, White Abarrio is a $40,000 OBS March graduate in 2021 where he was consigned by Nice and Easy Thoroughbreds.

“After a half in :45 and change, we were happy, and we were just hoping that our horse was going to run his race at that time,” said Dutrow. “And he did. It set up really good for him. You know what, he makes races set up for him because he has as much early speed as anyone, and he’s got cruising speed to stay in striking position. So, he kind of makes his own trip. At least the last two times he has.

“I was extremely confident he would (get the 10 furlongs) at the top of the stretch,” he added. “I didn’t see anything coming and I saw that we were going to engage those two and I felt we could put them away. So, we thought the race was over at that point. I was just yelling and rooting for him. We watched in the paddock, and it was great. We’re extremely happy for our horse and everyone involved.”

It was the second Breeders’ Cup Classic win for Dutrow, who also trained 2005 Classic winner and Kentucky-bred Saint Liam for William and Suzanne Warren.

Kentucky’s nine Breeders’ Cup wins over the two championship days of racing this year increased the Bluegrass State’s Breeders’ Cup win total to 249, more than any other state or country.