Belmont Stakes (G1) winner Arcangelo barreled into the lead in the stretch to capture the $1.25 million Travers (G1) on Saturday at Saratoga Race Course, where earlier in the day two horses suffered catastrophic injuries.
It was another huge victory for Jena Antonucci as she became the first female trainer in 85 years to win the Travers, the oldest stakes race for 3-year-olds in the United States. In June, she became the first female trainer to win the Belmont with Arcangelo.
“The significance of accomplishing anything in any gender at the top of any sport or industry is a gift,’’ Antonucci said. “It doesn’t come without the team and without every single person on our team. The significance of this is hard to put into words right now.
“Anyone that wants something bad enough, you just have to work your tail off for it. It doesn’t matter – man, woman, boy, girl – that’s just white noise. If you want it, go fight for it and make it happen for yourself.”
Arcangelo- Photo Credit Travers Stakes
Javier Castellano Secures Record Seventh Travers Victory with Arcangelo’s Impressive Win
Hall of Fame jockey Javier Castellano notched his record seventh Travers victory as he guided Arcangelo to victory over, among others, Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Mage, Preakness (G1) winner National Treasure, and Travers favorite Forte.
It was the fourth time that different winners of the Derby, Preakness and Belmont met up in the Travers. Mage won the Derby after morning-line favorite Forte was scratched hours before the race with a minor foot issue but came back and ran second in the Belmont and won the Jim Dandy (G2).
“I feel like on the backside I had so much horse, I could blow by and open up by 10 and I just took my time and let him develop,’’ Castellano, who won the Derby aboard Mage and then the Belmont with Arcangelo. “I put him outside, enjoyed my ride and very lucky and thankful and blessed you guys gave me the opportunity and a lot of confidence to ride the horse and working together every single step.”
The two longest shots in the field – 12-1 Disarm and 13-1 Tapit Trice – finished second and third, respectively. Arcangelo won by a length over a muddy track, covering the 1 ¼ miles in 2:02.23. Forte was fourth, followed by National Treasure, Scotland, and Mage.
Travers Day was marred in two earlier races — 9-5 favorite Noble broke down while galloping out in the fifth race (on turf) after finishing fifth; and New York Thunder broke down (left front leg) in the stretch while leading in the $500,000 H. Allen Jerkens Memorial (G1). One in Vermillion was the winner. Jockey Tyler Gaffalione was not injured.
Three weeks ago, Maple Leaf Mel was about to win the Test (G1) at Saratoga but broke her right front leg and was euthanzied on the track.
How Arcangelo won
Shuffled back at the start, Arcangelo was guided into fourth behind pacesetter Scotland, who was pressed through early fractions of 23.46, 48.10 and 1:11.73 by National Treasure and Tapit Trice. On the far turn, Castellano tipped Arcangelo to the outside, where he hit his best stride when straightened for home to take command at the eighth pole and win by a length.
Praise for winner from Forte co-owner
“Arcangelo ran great. That’s two wins in a row. He ran great,’’ Mike Repole, co-owner of Forte, said. “Forte broke great and was in the spot I thought he wanted to be. I don’t know if Arcangelo wanted that spot more or if [jockey] Irad [Ortiz Jr.] wanted to be more off the pace. He sat back patiently and at the top of the stretch I thought we were going to circle the field and make a good run at it, and I think he just leveled out. It’s a deep track, obviously, but the best horse won.”
On the undercard:
Gunite wins Forego (G1)
Gunite ($4.60) turned the tables on Elite Power by holding off his rival in the stretch winning the $500,000 Forego (G1) by 1 ¾ lengths. Elite Power had won eight in a row, including a head victory over Gunite last month in the Alfred G. Vanderbilt (G1).
Echo Zulu – Photo Credit Coglianese Photo
One in Vermillon wins H. Allen Jerkens (G1)
In the H. Allen Jerkins, One in Vermillion (19-1) gave trainer Steve Martin his first graded stakes win after New York Thunder broke down.
Irad Ortiz, Jr., who was aboard One in Vermillion said: “It’s sad. He was already a winner I think, to be honest. Unfortunately, that happened. I asked about the rider, they say he’s OK, so I’m glad Tyler is OK. He’s a friend of mine. It’s not the way you want it to happen.”
Echo Zulu does it again in $500,000 Ballerina (G1)
After winning the Forego with Gunite, trainer Steve Asmussen won this “Win and You’re In’’ Breeders’ Cup challenge series race when Echo Zulu ($3.20) beat Goodnight Olive by 2 ½ lengths.
Bolshoi Ballet romps in $750,000 Sword Dancer (G1)
With John Velazquez riding for Irish trainer Aiden O’Brien, Ireland-bred Bolshoi Ballet ($13) won easily by 4 ½ lengths over Soldier Rising in this “Win and You’re In’’ race for the Breeders’ Cup.