Arcangelo claimed victory at the 155th Belmont Stakes in New York, marking a historic first for female trainers in the Triple Crown series. Jena Antonucci’s triumph makes her the first woman to train a winner in any of the Triple Crown races, as confirmed by the National Thoroughbred Racing Association. Antonucci is only the 11th woman to train a Belmont contender in the race’s history.
National Treasure, winner of the Preakness Stakes, led for most of the race, but Arcangelo surged late and managed to hold off Forte to secure the win. Hall of Fame jockey Javier Castellano, who previously rode Mage to victory at the Kentucky Derby, celebrated his first Belmont win.
Emotional after the race, Antonucci said, “We don’t have words right now; we need a moment. We’re trying to take it all in and are incredibly proud of this horse. It’s amazing.” She added, “Arcangelo has the heart of a champion.”
Antonucci also shared a motivational message: “Never give up. If you can’t find a seat at the table, build your own table, assemble your team, and keep working hard. You are seen, people notice you, so just keep pushing forward.”
Her historic win coincides with the 50th anniversary of Secretariat’s Belmont victory for owner Penny Chenery, a prominent figure in horse racing.
Arcangelo’s odds were 7-1 going into the race, according to the Belmont’s official website. Forte finished second, Tapit Trice was third, and National Treasure came in sixth.
Arcangelo’s victory occurs amid heightened scrutiny in the racing world due to a series of horse deaths. Following the deaths of 12 horses at Churchill Downs, the track’s owner announced a suspension of racing operations to conduct a comprehensive review of safety and surface protocols. The cause of these deaths remains unclear.
At Belmont Park, four horses have died during racing or training since May 13. The New York Racing Association has pledged to review and analyze each incident closely to ensure the safest possible conditions for racing and training.
