Arcangelo Makes History For Antonucci In the Belmont

[Wandering Eyes]

Jena Antonucci became the first woman to saddle a winner of the final leg of horse racing's Triple Crown when Blue Rose Farm's ARCANGELO (c, 3, Arrogate–Modeling, by Tapit) slipped through inside of the pacesetting GI Preakness S. winner National Treasure (Quality Road) and grinded it out to the wire in the Saturday's GI Belmont S. on Long Island. Looking to become the first horse to complete the GIII Peter Pan S./Belmont S. double since Tonalist (Tapit) pulled it off in 2014, the $30,000 Keeneland September bargain was a well-backed 79-10, the sixth choice in a fairly tight betting race, Arcangelo put Kentucky Derby-winning rider Javier Castellano straight into the race and settled in a tugging fifth, as National Treasure set the pace from Tapit Shoes (Tapit) to his inside. Given an inch of rein passing the seven-eighths, Arcangelo poked through between Tapit Shoes and Hit Show (Candy Ride {Arg}) to be a handy fourth, with favored 'TDN Rising Star' Forte (Violence) about a length behind off Arcangelo's right hip. The complexion of the race began to alter fully five furlongs out, a long way from home around Big Sandy, as Arcangelo began an advance in union with Angel of Empire (Classic Empire) and Tapit Trice (Tapit), as many as five paths wide at the half-mile. Castellano had yet to really ask Arcangelo for his best, but he snuck through at the rail going apparently better than National Treasure and was on even terms at the top of the lane. In front shortly after, Arcangelo opened a sizeable advantage and got leg-weary late, but had the race won as Forte and Tapit Trice made progress, but too late. Sales history: $30,000 Ylg '21 KEESEP. O-Blue Rose Farm; B-Don Alberto Corp (KY); T-Jena Antonucci.

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