Super Corinto and The Thor will face off against White Abarrio in the Ghostzapper

The Argentine and the Chilean face a tough challenge ahead against the notable gray horse at Gulfstream Park

White Abarrio va por otro triunfo importante en Gulfstream Park / ADAM COGLIANESE

HALLANDALE BEACH, Florida (Special for Turf Diario) – This Saturday’s event at Gulfstream Park won’t be just another race day, with a new edition of the Florida Derby (G1) taking center stage. However, the race, part of the path to the Kentucky Derby (G1), will hardly be the only attraction for fans.

Equally captivating is the participation of the notable White Abarrio in the Ghostzapper Stakes (G3-1700 m, dirt, US$ 165,000 in prizes), where among his 6 rivals, two South American representatives will face him: the Chilean The Thor (Gemologist) and the Argentine Super Corinto (Super Saver).

The gray horse is the overwhelming favorite, and it seems almost impossible to think of defeating him, especially after his outstanding performance in late January when he won by several lengths in the Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes (G1) at the same track, bouncing back from a loss to fellow Chilean Mufasa (Practical Joke) in the Mr. Prospector Stakes (G3), though over a shorter 1400-meter distance. Now 6 years old, the charge of Saffie Joseph Jr.will take the Ghostzapper Stakes as a tune-up for more important goals, once again with Puerto Rican Irad Ortiz Jr.in the saddle.

The Thor, trained by Amador Sánchez and with Panamanian Luis Sáez aboard, has never won at this level, although he has had some strong performances as a juvenile in his home country. Owned by Claim To Fame Racing LLC., this will be his fourth outing in the U.S., having earned two seconds and one third in conditional races previously.

Meanwhile, Super Corinto will make another attempt to turn things around after a series of disappointing performances following his return to racing after suffering an injury in the Dubai World Cup (G1) in 2023 at Meydan, UAE.

Like White Abarrio, trained by Saffie Joseph Jr., he finished eighth in the Harlan's Holiday Stakes (G3) in mid-December and returns once more. This time, Tyler Gaffalione will be in the irons for the Stud Jet Set representative.

South America will also be represented by a couple of jockeys. Argentine Jorge Ruiz Díaz will ride Lightning Tones(Tonalist), while Venezuelans Javier Castellano and Edgar Zayas will partner with Power Squeeze (Union Rags) and One Sharp Cookie (Sharp Azteca), respectively.

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