Breeders’ Cup Replay | 2023 Classic: White Abarrio Wins, Derma Sotogake 2nd

White Abarrio won the 2023 Breeders’ Cup Classic at Santa Anita Park, winning the main event of the World Championships over the Japanese-based UAE Derby (G2) winner Derma Sotogake.

Is the Rick Dutrow Jr. trainee worthy of Horse of the Year honors? Watch the replay & get the Racing Dudes’ expert analysis, then tell us YOUR thoughts in the Comments section!

SMASH the *Thumbs Up* ~ HIT *Subscribe* ~ RING the *Notification* bell

Watch the race replay here:

The press release:

C2 Racing Stable and Milagrosa Stable’s White Abarrio ($7.20) took over at the head of the stretch and went on to post a 1-length victory over Derma Sotogake (JPN) to win the 40th running of the $6 million Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) for 3-year-olds and up Saturday afternoon at Santa Anita.

Trained by Rick Dutrow and ridden by Irad Ortiz Jr., White Abarrio completed the mile and a quarter in 2:02.57 over a fast main track. It is the fourth Breeders’ Cup victory for Dutrow and second in the Classic, having won in 2005 with Saint Liam. It is the second Classic win for Ortiz, who guided Vino Rosso to victory in the 2019 running and 19th overall in the World Championships.

Arabian Knight shot right to the front and led the field through fractions of :22.46, :45.73 and 1:10.28 while under token pressure from Saudi Crown with White Abarrio tracking in third.

On the far turn, Saudi Crown retreated and White Abarrio moved to the leader, quickly taking the advantage and opening up on his rivals.

Derma Sotogake rallied to get second by 1 ¼ lengths over Proxy, who finished a neck in front of Arabian Knight.

Completing the field in order were Ushba Tesoro (JPN), Bright Future, Senor Buscador, Dreamlike, Zandon, Saudi Crown, Clapton and Missed the Cut.

White Abarrio is a 4-year-old Kentucky-bred son of Race Day out of the Into Mischief mare Catching Diamonds.

The victory was worth $3,120,000 and increased White Abarrio’s earnings to $4,946,350 with a record of 15-7-1-3 that includes three Grade 1 victories.