ELMONT, N.Y – It was only fitting that history was made a half-century after Secretariat’s record-setting Belmont Stakes performance secured the Triple Crown.
When Arcangelo slipped through on the rail and overtook pacesetting Preakness winner National Treasure, hitting the wire first early Saturday evening, trainer Jena Antonucci became the first female ever to win the Belmont Stakes. She’s only the 11th woman to saddle a Belmont runner in the 155-year history of the race.
Arcangelo, who won the Grade 3 Peter Pan at Belmont Park last month to earn a spot in the field, finished 1 1/2 lengths clear of Forte, the favorite, with Tapit Trice closing to get third.
“Never give up. And if you can’t find a seat at the table, make your own table,” Antonucci said after her journey. “Build your team and never give up.”
Sent off at 7-1, Arcangelo paid $17.80 to win on a $2 bet, $7.20 to place and $4.90 to show. Forte paid $4.30 and $3.30, while Tapit Trice paid $4.10.
“I just believed in my horse, and the horse gives us that confidence,” said Jon Ebbert of Blue Rose Farm, which owns Arcangelo. “It’s a great team. We’re just the best together.”
As the race unfolded, Arcangelo sat off the pace in sixth place early on. But jockey Javier Casetallano began to move Arcangelo as they moved around the sweeping turn, before ducking into an opening on the rail as they turned for home, challenging National Treasure. While National Treasure tried to hold on, Arcangelo began to pull away in the final furlong.
“I want to thank you everyone for the opportunity. A dream come true. My first Belmont Stakes win,” Castellano said.
The victory denied what would have been a second-straight win in Triple Crown races for trainer Bob Baffert, who returns to the Triple Crown series after a two-year ban following after Medina Spirit tested positive after winning the 2021 Kentucky Derby. National Treasure eventually finished sixth in the field of nine.
Forte’s late charge to grab second…
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