The field is almost set for the $6 million Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) at Santa Anita Park on Saturday (Nov. 4). The 1¼-mile Classic is the centerpiece of racing’s two-day, 14-race, $31 million championships. In the days leading up to the race, racing will publish snapshots of the entries. Updates with odds and post positions will be published following the draw on Monday, Oct. 30.
Breeder’s Cup Contenders: ARCANGELO
“He’s thriving and doing well.”
With two works down and one to go, that, according to trainer Jena Antonucci, is how likely favorite Arcangelo is faring as he prepares for his upcoming engagement in the $6 million Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) on Nov. 4.
On Sunday, Oct. 15, at Santa Anita, the gray ridgling breezed 5 furlongs in 1:00 under exercise rider Robert Mallori, galloping out in 1:13 and 1:37 ⅕.
“He’s pretty proud of himself,” said Antonucci of the 3-year-old son of Arrogate, who will be facing older horses for the first time in the Classic. Arcangelo will have his final serious move about 10 days out from the Classic, said the trainer.
The Blue Rose Farm color-bearer will enter the Classic riding a four-race winning streak that began on March 18 at Gulfstream Park when he broke his maiden at third asking. His next assignment was a big one: stepping up into graded stakes company. He handled that with aplomb, heading favored Bishops Bay in the Peter Pan (G3), a local New York prep for the Belmont Stakes (G1).
Arcangelo then helped make history in the 1 ½-mile Belmont as he galloped to a 1 ½-length victory over favored Forte, making Antonucci the first woman trainer to win the race. He then cemented his role as the leader on the Breeders’ Cup tote board when he defeated Kentucky Derby winner Mage, Preakness winner National Treasure and champion Forte in the Travers (G1) at Saratoga.
Breeders’ Cup Classic Odds and Post Positions
Betting advice: Hard to imagine him not in the mix at the end, even against older horses. The distance works, the pedigree works, and the jockey (Javier Castellano is having a terrific year).
Post position: Scratched
Odds: TBD
Jockey: Javier Castellano
Trainer: Jena Antonucci
Owner: Blue Rose Farm (John Ebbet)
Biggest Win: Belmont Stakes (G1), June 10
Age: 3
Career record: 6-4-1-0
Career earnings: $1,754,900
Top Equibase speed figure:103
Pedigree: Arrogate-Modeling, by Tapit
Color: Gray
Running style: Stalker/Mid-Pack
Notes: When his racing career is concluded, Arcangelo will stand at Lane’s End Farm, it was announced Monday (Oct. 15) … His status as a ridgling (at least one undescended testicle) should not impact his ability as a sire; Lane’s End born and raised A.P. Indy, Slew o’ Gold, and Summer Squall were all ridglings … Arcangelo’s bloodlines are unique: he currently is the only living Grade 1 winning son of champion Arrogate, who died in 2020 … Arcangelo fetched a mere $35,000 at the Keeneland September Yearling sales. “The day I laid eyes on him,
said owner Jon Ebbert, “I said to myself ‘this is the most beautiful horse I’ve ever seen.’” … Should Arcangelo win the Classic, Antonucci would be the second woman to win the Classic; Kathy Ritvo saddled Mucho Macho Man to victory in the 2013 edition.
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.
