The magical journey is over for Arcangelo.
America’s top-rated horse is out of the $6 million Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) due to a left hind foot issue that developed several days ago, and has been retired from racing, drf.com reported.
Winner of the Belmont Stakes (G1) and Travers (G1) and 7-2 on the Classic morning line, Arcangelo missed training the past few days amid growing concern about his status for Saturday’s showcase race at the two-day, 14-race $31 million Breeders’ Cup at Santa Anita Park.
Arcangelo during morning workouts at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California on October 28, 2023 as horses prepare for the 2023 Breeders’ Cup World Championships. Alex Evers/Eclipse Sportswire/Breeders Cup
Trainer Jena Antonucci was hopeful a full recovery would occur and seemed upbeat at the post-position draw Monday night, but on Tuesday morning the decision was an easy one to make.
“He’s honestly doing great. Bouncing and thriving and happy in his stall,’’ Antonucci, the first female trainer to win a Triple Crown race, said in an interview posted on the Breeders’ Cup’s X (formerly Twitter) feed. “The left hind shoe we pulled off … he’s not fully resolving, and we’re running out of time. And as we talked about from day one, it will always be a horse first. No matter what.
“(Owner) John Ebbert and I talked about this a ton and if we ever have a question about this, for us it’s a no … Unfortunately, we get to miss the Classic this year.”
Arcangelo’s Breeders Cup Journey Cut Short
Arcangelo becomes the third prominent Classic contender who will miss the race: Haskell winner Geaux Rocket Ride sustained a condylar fracture to his right hind leg during a workout and underwent surgery Sunday; Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Mage is out due to a slight fever.
The gray 3-year-old son of 2017 Classic winner Arrogate had been “thriving and doing well,’’ Antonucci said prior to the foot problem that developed this past weekend.
Arcangelo, who won his final four races, all under Hall of Fame jockey Javier Castellano, closes his career with a 6-4-1-0 record, and earnings of $1,754,900.
Ebbert, who bought Arcangelo for $35,000 at the Keeneland September Yearling sales, confirmed his ridgling’s racing career is over. Arcangelo will stand at Lane’s End Farm in Kentucky beginning in 2024.
Jenna Antonucci’s Unwavering Commitment to Arcangelo’s Triumphs
At the end of her interview, Antonucci did her best to remain calm, cool, and collected as she has done over the past few months. Asked about staying so composed at such a tough time, she nearly pulled through:
“It’s not about me. I’ve said this from day one – that won’t get me emotional! I’m not going to get emotional!
It’s about him. It’s his journey,’’ she continued, her voice now shaky. “I’ve said if from day one. It’s his journey. Whatever we accomplish is so cool and great. He’s gonna be OK, and we’ll make sure he’s OK. And John’s committed to that. He is. He’s (Arcangelo) tearing the barn down right and I’m not comfortable. If I’m not comfortable, it’s no.”
Arcangelo’s winning streak began on March 18 at Gulfstream Park when he broke his maiden at third asking. He then stepped up and beat favorite Bishops Bay in the Peter Pan (G3), a local New York prep for the Belmont.
He then helped make history in the 1 ½-mile Belmont as he galloped to a 1 ½-length victory over favorite Forte, making Antonucci the first woman trainer to win the race. He then cemented his role atop the ratings with a victory over Mage, Preakness (G1) winner National Treasure and champion Forte in the Travers.
The writing team at US Racing is comprised of both full-time and part-time contributors with expertise in various aspects of the Sport of Kings.
