White Abarrio wins $1M Whitney; Horse dies in Test

SARATOGA SPRINGS — White Abarrio won the $1 million Whitney by 6 1/4 lengths on a big Saturday of racing that was dampened by the death of a horse in an earlier race.

Maple Leaf Mel was leading the $500,000 Test when she sustained a catastrophic injury to her leg just before the finish line at Saratoga Race Course. The horse was later euthanized.

Jockey Joel Rosario was unseated and went to a hospital in Albany for further evaluation and to have stitches for facial abrasions, according to the New York Racing Association.

Trained by Melanie Giddings, Maple Leaf Mel was 5-0 in her career. She was owned by August Dawn Farm, which includes Pro Football Hall of Fame coach Bill Parcells.

The filly was drawing away from the field when she injured her right front leg. On-site veterinarians tended to Maple Leaf Mel, but she was euthanized because of the severity of the injury, NYRA said.

"I feel so bad for the connections of Mel," said jockey Tyler Gaffalione, who rode winning horse Pretty Mischievous. "It’s hard to enjoy this one thinking about that. My condolences go out to their team. Hopefully they’re able to get through this and God bless them.”

White Abarrio's win in the Whitney gave trainer Rick Dutrow his first Grade I victory since returning to horse racing after serving a 10-year suspension. White Abarrio paid $22.40 to win and earned an automatic berth in the Breeders' Cup Classic in November at Santa Anita.

White Abarrio ran nine furlongs in 1:48.45. Zandon was second, while 2-5 favorite Cody's Wish was another 3 3/4 lengths back in third at Saratoga.

Dutrow, who trained Big Brown to victories in the 2008 Kentucky Derby and Preakness, won the first race he entered in May at Belmont Park. He regained his trainer's license in February and began assembling a string of horses.

In 2011, Dutrow had his license revoked for 10 years by New York officials after being charged with numerous medication and administrative violations. He fought the suspension until exhausting all of his legal appeals in 2013.

His last Grade 1 victory was in 2012, also at Saratoga.

White Abarrio was transferred to Dutrow's barn this spring from trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. The colt finished third in the Metropolitan Handicap on June 10 at Belmont.

“The owners trusted me to train the horse and now we get to go further with him,” Dutrow said. “We can even think about the Breeders’ Cup Classic. We're sitting in a good spot. We're very happy."

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A 4-year-old filly broke down in the fourth race at Saratoga and was euthanized.