TEARS OF JOY

Photo: Jay Moran/Eclipse Sportswire

The world of horse racing is exciting because nothing is set in stone. Proof of this was the result of the Belmont Stakes, the third step of the North American Triple Crown, which ARCANGELO won. ARCANGELO was bred in Kentucky by the Chilean owned Don Alberto Stable. Despite his illustrious pedigree, ARCANGELO sold for $35,000 at Keeneland.

ARCANGELO’S team developed the colt, believing in him and his talent. ARCANGELO is owned by Jon Ebbert and trained by Jena Antonucci. Katie Miranda, Fiona Goodwin, and Teona Rodriguez were instrumental people in ARCANGELO’s success. The grey colt debuted at Gulfstream Park, coming in second in a Maiden Special Weight Race. He qualified for the Belmont Stakes in winning the G2 Peter Pan Stakes at Belmont Park. To date, ARCANGELO has three first place finishes from five starts, and he has hit the board in four of his five races.

As Javier Castellano piloted the game ARCANGELO up the rail in the Belmont Stakes, Antonucci was beside herself, cheering them on from the grandstand. As ARCANGELO flashed under the wire, winning the third leg of the Triple Crown, Antonucci collapsed in tears of joy. It was also an impressive win for Javier Castellano, who won both the Kentucky Derby and the Belmont Stakes aboard horses few picked as the favorites to win.

The traditional colors of the Belmont Stakes, blue and white, as well as the blue and white colors of Secretariat’s silks scattered throughout the racetrack in commemoration of the 50ieth anniversary of Secretariat’s Triple Crown in 1973, was reflected in the blue of ARCANGELO’S saddlecloth.

As Antonucci became the first female trainer to win the Belmont Stakes, her memorable quote echoed off the walls of the racetrack. Antonucci stated: «If you can’t get a place at the table, make your own table.»