Trainer Jena Antonucci, center, hoists up the August Belmont Trophy alongside jockey Javier Castellano, right, and owner Jon Ebbert, left, after their horse Arcangelo won the 155th running of the Belmont Stakes horse race, Saturday, June 10, 2023, at Belmont Park in Elmont, N.Y. (AP News photo)
History was made at the 155th Belmont Stakes on Saturday, with the first female trainer to win the third leg of the Triple Crown.
National Treasure, whose trainer is the controversial Bob Baffert and won the Preakness Stakes, had an early lead in the race in Elmont, New York. National Treasure held a full length lead at one point, then Arcangelo trained by Jena Antonucci caught up alongside.
Arcangelo, who had 8-1 odds in the race, pulled ahead in the final stretch and comfortably claimed the victory.
It was the first time that a horse with a woman trainer, Antonucci, 47, has won the race.
“If you can’t find a seat at the table, make your own table,” she said.
“Build your team and never give up.”
Antonucci broke through the glass ceiling in a sport dominated by a small number of trainers.
“I want to thank you everyone for the opportunity. A dream come true,” said Castellano. “My first Belmont Stakes win.”
Arcangelo’s victory added to jockey Javier Castellano’s success. Castellano has won the Preakness Stakes two times and in May won his first Kentucky Derby riding Mage.
“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.”
Forte, who had 2-1 odds entering the race, came in second. Tapit Trice, who had 5-1 odds, finished third.
Baffert’s National Treasure wound up finishing sixth in the field of nine.
The Belmont Stakes is a 1 ½ mile race, which is the longest in the Triple Crown.
Here is the order of finish as well as the payouts for the top three:
1. Arcangelo $17.90, $7.20, $4.90
2. Forte x, $4.30, $3.30
3. Tapit Trice x, x, $4.10
Sports Radio Service 