December 26, 2024
TORONTO — By Matthew Lomon
A Year to…
Although White Abarrio’s 2024 season has been a far cry from his brilliant 2023 campaign, the 5-year-old can end the year on a high note with a proper showing in this Saturday’s $165,000 Mr. Prospector (G3) at Gulfstream Park.
Returning to stakes action for the first time since finishing fifth in June’s Metropolitan Handicap (G1), White Abarrio enters the 7-furlong Mr. Prospector as the overwhelming 3-5 favorite.
Oddsmakers clearly have high expectations for the 2023 Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) champion, who notched his first win following the extraordinary triumph not five weeks ago.
Overall, White Abarrio is 1-0-0 through three starts this season. However, the Irad Ortiz Jr. mount sports a healthy 18: 8-1-3 record with more than $5.2 million banked lifetime.
Right on Cue
Fresh off his two most impressive performance to date, Central Dispatch picked the perfect time begin his upward ascent.
If the trend continues for a third consecutive start, then the 5-year-old gelding is primed for a breakthrough outing in Saturday’s $200,000 Joe Hernandez (G2T) at Santa Anita.
The California circuit regular finds himself on comfortable grounds for the 6 ½-furlong contest after capturing a pair of allowance tilts in grand fashion on Nov. 16 and Oct. 6.
While the former (charged to win by a head) was more of a nailbiter than the latter (1-length gate-to-wire score), Central Dispatch showed great determination and versatility.
Competing under leading rider Flavien Prat, Central Dispatch enters behind 5-2 choice Motorious (GB) at 4-1.
Tale of Two Seasons
Runninsonofagun may have missed the board in four straight starts to begin the season, but the 5-year-old gelding has rebounded to land in the money his last three times out.
Headlined by a Bold Ruler (G3) conquest on Oct. 26, Runninsonofagun’s next opportunity to keep the streak alive comes this Saturday in the $150,000 Gravesend at Aqueduct.
Accompanied by a cast of six rivals, including 2-1 rival Maximus Meridius, Runningsonofagun opens as the early betting favorite at 9-5.
The multiple graded stakes winner (2022 and 2023 Bold Ruler) most recently produced a second in the Fall Highweight, also at Aqueduct.
Still Settling in
The winner’s circle has eluded Evade (FR) in his three starts since moving from the United Kingdom tour, but that can change on Saturday in the $100,000 Woodchopper at Fair Grounds.
On the bright side, it hasn’t all been tough sledding for Evade, who authored his finest effort west of the Atlantic last time out in the Commonwealth Turf (G3T).
Leaving from post eight, the Luan Machado mount fought gamely to find a more desirable landing spot behind eventual winner Lagynos.
The second represents Evade’s highest ranking finish on North American soil and posits him well leading into the 1 1/16-mile Woodchopper at 4-1 behind clubhouse leader, and rival, Lagynos (7-2).
Coin Flip (x4)
What do the oddsmakers setting the lines for this year’s Super Bowl winner have in common with those setting up Sunday’s $100,000 Year’s End Stakes at Oaklawn Park?
They both don’t see a true favorite in the field.
That is especially the case in the Year’s End, as the top four choices on the opening line – Glee (5-2), You’ll Be Back (3-1), Jenkin (7-2), and Adeera (4-1) – are nearly indistinguishable.
To create some sense of individuality, let’s summarize each contender’s resume.
Glee, a multiple stakes winner, is 6: 3-1-0 lifetime. You’ll Be Back claimed her first win last time out and is 2: 1-0-0 lifetime. Jenkin also secured her first victory last time out after recording a fifth and third before that (3: 1-0-1). Adeera is the most experienced of the bunch with a 1-1-1 line through five starts.
In other words, expect some fireworks in race nine.