White Abarrio a towering figure in Ghostzapper

There are no sure things in racing, but bettors shouldn't be given too much flak for thinking and behaving accordingly about White Abarrio in the $165,000 Ghostzapper (G3) at Gulfstream Park on Saturday.

Rather than attempting to parlay his last-out demolition of the Pegasus World Cup (G1) into a more lucrative payday in the Middle East, White Abarrio has instead remained stateside and will use the 1 1/16-mile Ghostzapper as a springboard to future domestic targets.

"The next main goal is the Met Mile. That's the important one," said trainer Saffie Joseph Jr., referring to the Metropolitan H. (G1) at Saratoga on June 7. "This race is at home. It makes sense from a timing standpoint."

Also the winner of the 2023 Breeders' Cup Classic (G1), White Abarrio towers over his opposition on paper. Among his rivals is the Grade 1-winning filly Power Squeeze, who finished 11 lengths behind White Abarrio in the Pegasus World Cup.

Among the better undercard stakes on the Florida Derby Day card is the $200,000 Pan American (G2), a 12-furlong grass test for older horses. Making his season debut is Far Bridge, who landed the Sword Dancer (G1) and Joe Hirsch Turf Classic (G1) last fall before finishing a dull ninth in the Breeders' Cup Turf (G1) at Del Mar.

The Pan Am field also includes Capture the Flag and Cash Equity, who were separated by less than a length in Mac Diarmida (G2) last out. Tawny Port, who counted the Pan American as one of four stakes he lost in photo finishes last season, will be making his first start since October.

The $150,000 Orchid (G3), for fillies and mares at 1 1/2 miles on the turf, offers a rematch between Beach Bomb and La Mehana, first and third, respectively, in the March 1 The Very One (G3) over a furlong shorter.

The probable fillies and mares to beat in the $150,000 Sand Springs S. at 1 1/16 miles on the turf -- In Our Time, Five Towns, and Ocean Club -- all drew outside posts, while multiple Grade 2 scorer Major Dude appears the class of the $150,000 Appleton S. over one mile on the grass.