White Abarrio, Far Bridge score Florida Derby Day wins

White Abarrio, a justifiable 1-20 favorite in the $150,000 Ghostzapper (G3) at Gulfstream Park on Saturday, shook clear of filly rival Power Squeeze at the top of the stretch and won comfortably by 5 1/4 lengths under Irad Ortiz Jr.

Forsaking an opportunity for more lucrative riches in the Middle East following a blowout win in the Pegasus World Cup (G1) in late January, White Abarrio is now expected to target the Metropolitan H. (G1) at Saratoga in early June.

Also a past winner of the Breeders' Cup Classic (G1), Whitney (G1), and Florida Derby (G1), White Abarrio completed 1 1/16 miles in 1:41.97 over a fast track. Grade 1 winner Power Squeeze, who fared poorly in the Pegasus World Cup last time, redeemed herself with a second-place finish, one length ahead of Tuscan Sky.

A six-year-old son of Race Day, White Abarrio races for the partnership of C2 Racing Stable, Gary Barber, and La Milagrosa Stable. He is trained by Saffie Joseph Jr.

The difference between multiple Grade 1 winner Far Bridge and stakes newcomer Corruption proved scant in the $200,000 Pan American (G3).

Far Bridge, favored at 9-10, maintained a slight edge over Corruption through a prolonged stretch duel and won by a neck. Corruption, who saw his three-race win streak snapped, finished 3 3/4 lengths ahead of Padiddle.

Victorious in the Sword Dancer (G1) and Joe Hirsch Turf Classic (G1) last season, Far Bridge was making his first start since a dull effort in the Breeders' Cup Turf (G1) in November.

"Class prevailed today," said Miguel Clement, assistant trainer to his father Christophe.

Owned by LSU Stables, Far Bridge paid $3.80 after covering 1 1/2 miles in a swift 2:22.73 over the firm turf, just one-tenth of a second off the course mark. Joel Rosario was the winning jockey.

Miguel Clement said the five-year-old Far Bridge, by English Channel, would point for the Man o' War (G2) at Aqueduct in May and the Manhattan (G1) at Saratoga in June.

Earlier in the card, Beach Bomb landed her second, wire-to-wire victory of the month in the $150,000 Orchid (G3). But it was a close-run thing, as Silvology rallied from the rear to miss by a neck, with second choice La Mehana another neck behind in third.

A one-length winner of The Very One (G3) on March 1 over 1 3/8 miles, Beach Bomb stretched out to 12 furlongs for the Orchid, which she completed in 2:24.29 under Luis Saez. She returned $5.20 as the 8-5 favorite.

A multiple Group 1 winner in her native South Africa, Beach Bomb has now won two of five starts since her importation. The daughter of Lancaster Bomber races for Cayton Park Stud and is trained by Graham Motion.