Horseracing is full of mysteries, which makes it such an intriguing puzzle for handicappers.
And they have a doozy in front of them Saturday in the $1 million Metropolitan Handicap (G1), the top undercard feature on Belmont Stakes Day at Saratoga.
Ponder, if you will, this riddle: Why didn’t White Abarrio run a lick in his most recent outing, the $20 million Saudi Cup (G1) in February?
If you have a clue, please pass it along to his trainer, Rick Dutrow, Jr.
“I don’t have an explanation,” Dutrow said. “He just didn’t show up. I have no idea why.”
It was a long journey for a no-show effort as he finished 10th.
The Met Mile is one of five Grade 1 stakes leading up to the Belmont Stakes (G1) – the others are the Woody Stephens, the Ogden Phipps, the Manhattan, and the Jaipur.
The Met Mile, once the traditional Memorial Day feature at Belmont Park, is White Abarrio’s comeback stage. The 6-5 favorite landed post 6, the outside slot in what sport’s promoters are fond of touting as a “small but select” field.
The lineup includes National Treasure, winner of the Pegasus World Cup (G1) in January to enhance a resume that already included a victory in last year’s Preakness Stakes (G1). Blazing Sevens, only a nose behind National Treasure in the Preakness, is here along with Carter (G2) winner Post Time, Cigar Mile (G2) upsetter Hoist the Gold and Castle Chaos.
This is the logical spot for White Abarrio’s return. He was third to Horse of the Year Cody’s Wish in last year’s Met Mile, contested at Belmont Park. It was also the gray 5-year-old’s first start for Dutrow following the transfer from Saffie Joseph. Jr.’s barn.
What followed was breathtaking: dazzling wins in the Whitney (G1) at Saratoga and in the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) at Santa Anita.
Off that strong form, the poor effort in the Saudi Cup was that much more inscrutable.
Dutrow is banking on a bounce-back performance.
“We’ve kind of really got our hopes up high that he runs his race because he has been showing us that he is really ready,” Dutrow said.
The Met Mile, along with the Ogden Phipps, and Jaipur are “Win and You’re In” Breeders’ Cup qualifying races.
The picks: 1 White Abarrio 2 National Treasure 3 Blazing Sevens
The writing team at US Racing is comprised of both full-time and part-time contributors with expertise in various aspects of the Sport of Kings.
