Arcangelo to Scratch From Breeders' Cup Classic

Belmont Stakes (G1) and Travers Stakes (G1) winner Arcangelo  will be scratched from the Nov. 4 Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) at Santa Anita Park due to a left hind foot setback, trainer Jena Antonucci said Oct. 31.

Owner Jon Ebbert of Blue Rose Farm told Daily Racing Form's David Grening that Arcangelo would be retired from racing and head to stud next year at Lane's End Farm—though Antonucci only characterized that as a likely development pending further evaluation of the ridgling.

The Central Kentucky farm announced two weeks ago that Arcangelo would stand there upon his eventual retirement.

Speaking with FanDuel TV's Joaquin Jaime on the Breeders' Cup social media channel on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, Antonucci said the decision to withdraw Arcangelo from the Classic was made in the 3-year-old's best interest following a physical setback that impacted his training in recent days.

News from @jenaantonucci's barn regarding Classic Contender Arcangelo. pic.twitter.com/AqIi1Eehfg

— Breeders' Cup (@BreedersCup) October 31, 2023

"Like we've talked about all week long, the left hind shoe we pulled off, and it's just he's not fully resolving, and we're running out of time," Antonucci said. "And as we've talked about from Day One, this will always be horse-first no matter absolutely what."

Later Tuesday morning, Antonucci told BloodHorse that Arcangelo was "walking very well and sound and bouncy and happy," but "the warmth (in the left hind foot area) isn't completely resolved."

Arcangelo trained as recently as Oct. 28, though not to Antonucci's complete satisfaction.

She said the decision to scratch was made in consultation with veterinarians. Horses at the Breeders' Cup are regularly monitored and examined by Breeders' Cup and regulatory veterinarians.

"I told them from the minute we started talking that if anything changes, they'd be the first ones I would communicate about. So there hasn't been any kerfuffles or any negativeness there," she said.

She said with Arcangelo out of the Breeders' Cup Classic, Arcangelo can be treated and evaluated with diagnostics, and a decision can be made about his future.

"Our handcuffs are off as far as regulations with racing. So we can assess and figure out and get some good answers, and then we can make a plan," she said.

A winner of his last four races after two initial defeats, Arcangelo has earned more than $1.7 million for his owner, who purchased him for $35,000 at the 2021 September Yearling Sale at Keeneland from the Gainesway consignment. Don Alberto Corporation bred him in Kentucky.

The gray son of Arrogate rose to prominence this spring and summer, vaulting to the top of the 3-year-old division. The Belmont victory made Antonucci the first female trainer to win a Triple Crown race. 

Arcangelo is a leading candidate for an Eclipse Award as champion 3-year-old male, depending on the success of rival 3-year-olds, led by Arabian Knight , in Saturday's $6 million Classic.

Oddsmaker Jon White pegged Arcangelo as the 7-2 second choice on the morning line for the Classic behind Arabian Knight at 3-1. The latter won the Pacific Classic (G1) in his last start.

Dubai World Cup (G1) winner Ushba Tesoro , 4-1 on the morning line established Oct. 30, is the shortest-priced older horse in the lineup, in which a dozen horses now remain.

Arcangelo is the third major defection from the Classic in the past four days. Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Mage  was not entered in the Classic due to what his connections said was a fever, and Haskell Stakes (G1) winner Geaux Rocket Ride  was seriously injured training for the race Oct. 28 and has since undergone surgery.