Opening Gate Was Bit Fishy”: $1,826,350 Worth Equine Dominates Popular Grade 1 Equestrian Race Leaving Fans Divided

Nothing is predictable in the equestrian world. On August 5, a horse groomed by a trainer who hasn’t participated in any event for 10 years surpassed every horse in the arena to win a $1 million race. The 64-year-old trained the $1,826,350-worth horse White Abarrio for the grade 1 equestrian race, the Whitney Stakes.

Rick Dutrow left every fan in shock after the win of White Abarrio. Abarrio is a thoroughbred horse with 14 starts and six firsts in his career to date and is now officially being trained by the 64-year-old trainer. Apart from people in awe of Dutrow’s comeback, many fans also speculated on Abarrio’s win.

 After a decade Dutrow makes a comeback

On Saturday, Rick Dutrow‘s horse, White Abarrio, stormed through the arena to seal his victory at the Whitney Stakes. The trainer had faced a 10-year ban after his medical allegations and made his first appearance in the $1 million race. And, since his last win in 2012, the trainer tasted victory for the first time in 10 years on his 64th birthday. Now Dutrow and his horse have qualified for the Breeders Cup Classics. The trainer with a paid berth will be competing at the event held in Santa Ana on November 4. The 64-year-old will most likely be training the winning horse, White Albarrio, for the event. After the win, the Daily Racing Form posted a victory snapshot of the rider with the caption “Dutrow roars back as White Abarrio gallops away with the Whitney Stakes.”

After his win, the rider told the media, “This is the best present I ever had for my birthday.” Further, while talking about his comeback, the athlete added  “I don’t look back at that, I just look forward.” Dutrow, who could only witness the event after Abarrio’s owner chartered a plan for him revealed that he had gotten White Abarrio only last weekend. Abarrio was taken from his barn after the unexplainable deaths of two horses who were training under Saffie Joseph in the Kentucky Derby. As Joseph no longer had the authority to run the horse in Kentucky arenas, Dutrow was given a chance to train Abarrio. And with absolute finesse in the arena, Rick made a historical comeback with the thoroughbred. Many fans expressed their love for the trainer and the horse after the win. However, many also speculated on the win.

Fans speculate on the equestrian race win

To secure his win, Dutrow’s horse had to surpass Cody’s Wish in the arena. The multiple Grade 1 winner who struggled at the start could not compete with Abarrio. However, many fans also speculated about Cody’s poor start at the arena.  As one fan under the Facebook post wrote, “Did anyone else think the opening gate was a bit fishy? There was a guy still hanging on to Wish’s gear when the bell rang. Wish then came out dead last!”

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One fan who was happy not to bet this time wrote, “I made a good choice by staying away from betting on this race.” A fan who was happy to see Dutrow back stated, “Congratulations! Great race.” While one wrote “WOW.” The race has truly left fans divided, but regardless, Dutrow’s comeback was indeed an extraordinary event to witness.

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