G1 Belmont Stakes winner Arcangelo feeling good the morning after acing “Test of the Champion”
At 10h59, on June 12, 2023 • By BELMONT PARK
Trainer Jena Antonucci went to work as usual on Sunday morning, sending out a trainee to breeze a little past 8 a.m. at Belmont Park. The only difference in her morning routine was a sudden rush of reporters and photographers that gathered around a blanket of white carnations, clamoring to get a view of racing’s newest millionaire Arcangelo, the impressive winner of Saturday’s Grade 1, $1.5 million Belmont Stakes presented by NYRA Bets.
Antonucci, who won her first Grade 1 and became the first woman to train a winner of a Triple Crown event, said she is still processing the scale of the accomplishment 12 hours later.
“Everything is still a little bit numb on some levels, and I’m just trying to sort everything out,” Antonucci said. “I’m just grateful and appreciative of what he did for us yesterday and it’s pretty cool.”
Arcangelo, a grey son of Arrogate owned by Blue Rose Farm, added his name to the storied list of Belmont Stakes winners with an inside trip under Hall of Famer Javier Castellano, who won his first Belmont and claimed victory in two of the three jewels of the Triple Crown this year after winning his first Grade 1 Kentucky Derby aboard Mage.
The next morning, Arcangelo napped on and off in his stall and awoke to nicker excitedly at other horses walking the shed row. Antonucci said all is well with the talented ridgling after his 1 1/2-length triumph.
“He’s taking a nap and that’s normal for him,” said Antonucci. “He’s a hard sleeper.”
Arcangelo’s team is no stranger to being patient, and will continue that attitude going forward as a potential next start is planned. Antonucci said the Grade 1, $1.25 million Travers on August 26 at Saratoga Race Course could be included in the discussions, but stressed that she has made no firm plans yet.
