White Abarrio wins $6m Breeders’ Cup Classic, trainer Rick Dutrow back on top after 10-year exile

ARCADIA, California: White Abarrio took over the lead at the top of the stretch and ran on to a one-length victory in the $6 million Breeders’ Cup Classic on Saturday, propelling trainer Rick Dutrow back to the top after his 10-year exile from the sport.

A celebratory Dutrow hugged anyone he could in the winner’s circle before throwing his arms around White Abarrio. He previously won the Classic in 2005 with Saint Liam.

“It feels unbelievable,” Dutrow said. “I love it.”

Bob Baffert, the career earnings leader among Breeders’ Cup trainers, was blanked in nine races over two days of the 40th world championships at his home track.

Trainer Bill Mott won a leading three races, while Irad Ortiz Jr. led all jockeys with three wins.

Ridden by Ortiz Jr., White Abarrio ran 1 1/4 miles in 2:02.87. Sent off as the 5-2 favorite, the gray colt paid $7.20 to win.

“I thought that he was a winner the whole way around the track,” Dutrow said.

Arabian Knight shot to the lead out of the starting gate and led the 12-horse field with Saudi Crown in second and White Abarrio back in third.

On the far turn, Saudi Crown retreated and White Abarrio moved up to challenge Arabian Knight, quickly taking over and widening his lead in the stretch.

“I love being around good horses like that,” Dutrow said. “It makes you feel like a good horseman. That’s always what I wanted to be.”

Dutrow returned to training earlier this year after serving a 10-year suspension by New York racing officials for a history of violations. The 64-year-old trained Big Brown to victories in the 2008 Kentucky Derby and Preakness, but the colt finished last in the Belmont to end his Triple Crown bid. Controversy found Dutrow when he admitted regularly giving anabolic