Belmont Winner Arcangelo Is Growing Up

Right before trainer Jena Antonucci's eyes, Belmont Stakes (G1) winner Arcangelo  is growing up.

The gray son of Arrogate  was napping in his stall on the morning of July 28, two days removed from his third work over the main track at Saratoga Race Course.

"He has just grown up so much," Antonucci said, sitting at a picnic table near the barn on the Oklahoma Training Track. "He has gotten really professional and is very serious about his work, which is really cool to watch. He is more mature, more seasoned."

There is still a lot of little boy in Arcangelo, who has only made five starts in his career; four of them in 2023.

In his early days, the horse would goof off, just like a kid would. Slowly, he has gotten over childish tendencies when he goes to work.

"He used to bounce around, dance around, get on his hind legs and just be a colt," Antonucci said. "He is figuring it all out now. You want to see good ones channel that for good. When you look at his expression when he is breezing he is focused but relaxed. It's a shift where you watch him get it."

Arcangelo, with jockey Javier Castellano on board, worked five furlongs in 1:01.23 on July 26.

Antonucci is going to train Arcangelo up to the $1.25 million Travers Stakes at the Spa on Aug. 26.

Arcangelo's work on July 26 was nine days after his prior Spa work; the work on July 17 was 12 days after his first one at Saratoga on July 5.

His next work could come on Aug. 5. Or not. 

"Depending on the weather," Antonucci said. "We always leave ourselves a little bit of room so we don't have to worry. It will be in the 10ish (days). I am not being coy, it literally depends on the weather and track and everything else."

The question that always comes continues to have no answer. When asked if Castellano—also the rider of Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Mage , who is also being pointed to the Travers—has made a commitment yet, Antonucci said there was nothing to report.

"I am definitely not going to worry about it," she said.