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Arcangelo in Fine Shape After Travers Victory

Arcangelo (Arrogate) was in fine shape Sunday following his victory in the GI Travers S. at Saratoga Saturday, but connections will take their time before picking out a next start for the sophomore.

“He came back well and is full of himself today,” said trainer Jena Antonucci. “Of course the Breeders' Cup is on the radar, but horses don't care about schedules or spreadsheets. We'll do what we've been doing and give him his space. We'll let him pave the way.”

Arcangelo added the Travers to his win in the GI Belmont S. in June.

“I'm just so glad the race has helped to validate he's not a fluke or a one-hit wonder,” said Antonucci. “It allows him to be validated, and I'm grateful for that. Horse and team, I'm most proud of that.”

Travers runner-up Disarm (Gun Runner), who closed for second while making his first start with blinkers, could make his next start in the Sept. 23 GI Pennsylvania Derby at Parx.

“He just seems to get incrementally better,” said Winchell Thoroughbreds racing manager David Fiske said. “[The blinkers] didn't hurt. It's hard to say how much of a difference they made because he did run some pretty credible races without the blinkers. I suspect he'll run back with them because like I said, they didn't hurt him at all.”

Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher reported Sunday Tapit Trice (Tapit) and Forte (Violence) emerged well from their respective third- and fourth-place finishes in the Travers.

“They're doing good,” Pletcher said. “Both of them looked well this morning.”

Asked for future plans for the pair, Pletcher said, “We'll give it a few days to see how they are and come up with a game plan.”

Pletcher said he is pleased with how Repole Stable, Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and Michael House's Nest (Curlin) came out of her third-place finish as the favorite in Friday's GI Personal Ensign S., just her second start this year following her 2022 champion 3-year-old filly campaign.

“She's doing good,” Pletcher said. “She bounced out of the race well. It was hard to make up ground on a sloppy, gooey track when a quality horse gets loose on the lead. I thought she ran hard. It was only her second race of the year so, hopefully, it moves her forward.”

Pletcher said Nest will be pointed to either the GII Beldame S. during the Belmont at the Big A fall meet or the GI Juddmonte Spinster S. at Keeneland. Both 1 1/8-mile races are Oct. 8.

Repole Stable's Fierceness (City of Light), tabbed a 'TDN Rising Star' following his impressive debut victory at Saratoga Friday, will likely tackle Grade I company for his second start, according to Pletcher.

“I think the [Oct. 7 GI] Champagne is the most logical next start,” Pletcher said.

Of the colt's maiden score, Pletcher said, “He was very impressive. He had been training really well leading up to it. We were expecting a good effort, but he actually delivered an even better one than we were hoping for.”

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The Wine Steward Stays Unbeaten With Funny Cide Win

Unbeaten and already a stakes winner in his first two starts, The Wine Steward kept his perfect record intact with a gutsy performance in Sunday's Funny Cide S. at Saratoga. Back facing New York-breds for the first time since his six-length debut win at Belmont May 28, the even-money favorite had to overcome a wide draw and a bumpy beginning. Caught outside throughout, he turned for home four abreast, set his sights on pacesetter El Grande O, and dug in to just get past that rival in the final jumps.

“He kind of bobbled out of there a little bit,” said winning jockey Manny Franco. “I wanted to be forward and I had to stalk four wide, but I knew I was on the best horse. If he's going to win, he's going to win from here. I didn't make things complicated, I just wanted to stay there and made my move when I thought it was the right time. I'm glad he got it done.”

A $340,000 OBS March 2-year-old, The Wine Steward is out of a half to a trio of good horses in GSW/GISP Giant Game (Giant's Causeway), MGSW/GISP Isotherm (Lonhro {Aus}), and GISP Gio Game (Gio Ponti). His dam, purchased for $350,000 by Coteau Grove Farms at last year's Keeneland January Horses of All Ages Sale, has a yearling colt by Authentic and a weanling Curlin filly. She was bred back to Justify for 2024. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.

FUNNY CIDE S. PRESENTED BY ROOD AND RIDDLE EQUINE HOSPITAL, $200,000, Saratoga, 8-27, (S), 2yo, 6f, 1:10.92, ft.
1–THE WINE STEWARD, 122, c, 2, by Vino Rosso
                1st Dam: Call to Service, by To Honor and Serve
                2nd Dam: Game for More, by More Than Ready
                3rd Dam: Ermelinda, by Sea Hero
($70,000 Ylg '22 SARAUG; $340,000 2yo '23 OBSMAR).
O-Paradise Farms Corp. and David Staudacher; B-Sequel
Thoroughbreds LLC, Lakland Farm & Mark Toothaker (NY);
T-Michael J. Maker; J-Manuel Franco. $110,000. Lifetime
Record: 3-3-0-0, $274,010.
2–El Grande O, 122, c, 2, Take Charge Indy–Rainbow's Song, by
Unbridled's Song. O-Barry K. Schwartz; B-Stonewall Farm (NY);
T-Linda Rice. $40,000.
3–Whatchatalkinabout, 122, c, 2, Dialed In–Super Savvy, by
Super Saver. ($38,000 RNA Ylg '22 FTKFEB; $82,000 Ylg '22
FTKOCT). 1ST BLACK TYPE. O-Ice Wine Stable;
B-Newtownanner Stud Farm (NY); T-Wesley A. Ward. $24,000.
Margins: HD, 5HF, 5HF. Odds: 1.10, 10.30, 5.60.
Also Ran: Works for Me, Always a Warrior, Trust Fund.

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‘Every Horse Brings You To This Point’: Antonucci Reflects On Arcangelo’s On Travers Preparation, Victory

While some racing fans may be new to the name Jena Antonucci, the longtime horsewoman is far from a novice in the Thoroughbred industry.

The 47-year old trainer has gained a wealth of knowledge in the 13 years since she started her first horse in March 2010 at Tampa Bay Downs, culminating in historic triumphs in this year's Belmont Stakes (G1)in June and the Travers (G1) on Saturday with Blue Rose Farm's Arcangelo.

“I think the journey of getting here is just allowing yourself to grow from every horse you've worked with, so it prepares you and your team to handle whatever comes your way, good and bad,” said Antonucci, who became the second woman to train a Travers winner and first since Mary Hirsch saddled Thanksgiving to victory in 1938. “Every horse brings you to this point and I'm extremely grateful to all of those horses who have helped us be ready for a horse like Arcangelo.”

In the weeks leading up to the Travers, Antonucci could be seen daily aboard her pony with the recognizable Arcangelo, traveling along with him to the track each morning and allowing him to take in the sights and sounds of the Spa to prepare for the historic 10-furlong test for sophomores. Patience and thoroughness in Arcangelo's conditioning and schooling are important to Antonucci, who said there can never be doubt when leading a horse over for any race, let alone the Travers.

“Just never question listening and leaning into the horse,” said Antonucci when asked what lessons she has learned in her career. “I think that has gotten more fine-tuned over the years, and if there's a doubt, it's a 'no.' Before if there was a doubt, it was, 'Oh, maybe this,' or, 'Oh, maybe that.' I think getting stronger and more committed to the constitution of what you're working towards [is key]. If it's a 'yes,' you make sure you check all the boxes in the process. The horses and your team feed off of it and I think it teaches you to be steady and present. It's not being overconfident or taking it for granted, it's owning your space that you're living in.”

All of Antonucci's patience and perceptiveness came to fruition once again in the Travers, 11 weeks after Arcangelo stormed home to win the Belmont Stakes and made her the first woman to train a winner of a Triple Crown race.

Ridden again Saturday by Javier Castellano, Arcangelo placed himself atop the 3-year-old male standings with an off-the-pace trip when saving ground along the inside behind the pace set by Scotland before angling around foes four-wide in the final turn, drawing off to a decisive one-length score over the late-closing Disarm.

“It was a patient ride and wasn't a perfect trip, but this horse had some rough trips early on [in his career] that helped him yesterday,” said Antonucci. “I think more than anything, Javier has gotten so confident on the horse and believes in this horse, and he [Arcangelo] just feeds off of that in a really cool way.”

Castellano arrived at the barn Sunday morning to check in on his record seventh Travers winner after getting back to work breezing horses as early as 6:30 at the Spa.

“When someone wins the Super Bowl, people think, 'Oh, you go on vacation now and go to Disney World.' My neighbor when I won the Belmont said, 'Oh, congratulations, you won the Belmont, so now you can go rest and on vacation!' I said, 'What? I've got to work horses in the morning,' ” said Castellano, with a laugh. “I'm very lucky, fortunate and blessed to win with this beautiful horse who gave me the opportunity to be back in the game and compete with everybody at the top of the game. He can be anything.”

The 46-year-old veteran rider adds to an already impressive resume for the year, which included his first victory in the Kentucky Derby (G1) aboard Mage and additional Grade 1 scores in the Beverly D. [Fev Rover] and United Nations [Therapist]. Though it is only August, Castellano is celebrating his best year in terms of earnings since 2019 and currently ranks fifth in earnings amongst all North American riders.

“Thank God, I've been so blessed,” said Castellano. “I don't take anything for granted because this game is hard. You can be at the top one day and at the bottom the next. People think, 'Oh, you've won seven Travers,' but it's not easy. I had a little bump in the road, but I try to be positive and consistent, and work hard with dedication, consistency and discipline. It paid back quickly.”

With two of the nation's biggest Grade 1 wins under his belt, Arcangelo appears ready to give serious challenge to older competition this fall in the Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) in November at Santa Anita Park. For now, Antonucci will retain her usual level-headedness, and allow Arcangelo the time and patience he needs before committing to the year-end championship event.

“He came back well and is full of himself today,” said Antonucci. “Of course the Breeders' Cup is on the radar, but horses don't care about schedules or spreadsheets. We'll do what we've been doing and give him his space. We'll let him pave the way.”

While Arcangelo paves his own way, the same can be said for Antonucci, who has challenged and defeated the historical trends with every race Arcangelo dominates.

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Inspirational Debut Winner Carson’s Run Steps Up To Graded Competition In With Anticipation

West Point Thoroughbreds and Steven Bouchey's Carson's Run brings a strong debut win for trainer Christophe Clement over a route of ground into Thursday's $175,000 With Anticipation (G3), a 1 1/16-mile inner turf test for juveniles at Saratoga Race Course.

The son of Cupid arrives at his first test against winners from a determined neck triumph on July 29 at the Spa, where he traveled five lengths off the pace under Dylan Davis and steadily made up ground over the With Anticipation's distance to challenge for the lead at the top of the lane. The talented chestnut dueled gamely with Moonlight down the stretch before taking a slim advantage at the wire and completing the course in 1:44.40.

Carson's Run has worked back three times since his victory, most recently covering five furlongs in 1:03.25 over the Oklahoma turf training track on Thursday.

“He had a good work on the grass the other day. He's trained very forwardly and we're looking forward to running him again here at Saratoga,” said Miguel Clement, son and assistant to Christophe Clement. “Dylan has been breezing him in the mornings. He's always been high on the horse from Day One. The horse has a good turn of foot, and I wouldn't swap positions with anyone else heading into this race.”

Carson's Run will have plenty of support on Thursday as friends and supporters of his namesake, Carson Jost, rally around colt and his attempt at becoming racing's latest graded stakes winner. Jost, 30, suffers from a genetic condition called Wolf-Hirschhorn Syndrome. His father, Wade Jost, is a longtime friend of West Point Thoroughbreds' President and CEO Terry Finley and is a partner in the horse's ownership.

Carson's Run is out of the winning Henny Hughes mare Hot N Hectic, a half-sister to multiple graded stakes-winning millionaire Rated R Superstar. His second dam, Wicked Wish, is a half-sister to multiple graded stakes winner Wishful Tomcat and multiple stakes-winner Uncle T Seven.

Davis will look to pilot Carson's Run to victory from post 8.

Clement will also send out debut maiden runner-up Spirit Prince [post 2, Flavien Prat] for owners Oakwood Stables, Scott Krase, Donarra Thoroughbreds, Kenneth Beitz and Gail Beitz. The gray son of Cairo Prince, who adds blinkers, finished a closing second in the 1 1/16-mile maiden on July 22, finishing just a half-length back of the victorious Noted, who exited that race to win Monmouth Park's one-mile Sapling on Saturday. He was a $110,000 purchase at the Keeneland September Yearling Sale.

Les Wagner's graded stakes-placed Market Street tries turf for the first time after a distant runner-up effort to Rhyme Schemes in the Grade 2 Herb Moelis Memorial Saratoga Special on August 12. Trained by D. Wayne Lukas, the son of Street Sense established early command under Jaime Torres, but could not fend off the strong turn of foot from Rhyme Schemes and was defeated 9 1/2 lengths.

Market Street makes his third appearance at the Spa this summer, his other start a pacesetting sixth in the Grade 3 Sanford on July 15. He was an impressive debut winner in June at Ellis Park when setting the pace in a five-furlong maiden tilt and drawing clear to a 3 3/4-length score.

A $475,000 Keeneland September Yearling Sale purchase, Market Street is out of the Quality Road mare Quality Way, a half-sister to graded stakes-winner Super Ninety Nine, as well as multiple stakes-winner Elusive Horizon. He will emerge from post 4 under Javier Castellano.

Trainer Bill Mott will be represented by two debut winners in Carem Stables' Get Spooled [post 5, Jose Lezcano] and Arnmore Thoroughbreds and Even Keel Thoroughbreds' Gala Brand [post 1, Jose Ortiz].

Get Spooled, a New York-bred son of Hard Spun, was a determined winner traveling the With Anticipation distance on August 3 against fellow state-breds, scoring the wire-to-wire triumph by three-quarter lengths over next-out winner Dancing Mischief. His dam, the Street Cry mare Cuccidati, is a half-sister to turf stakes winner Spycraft, as well as the stakes-placed Cave Run. Get Spooled, bred by Waterville Lake Stable, was purchased for $230,000 at the Fasig-Tipton New York Saratoga New York-bred Yearling Sale.

Gala Brand, a chestnut Violence filly, will take on the boys on the heels of a deep-closing victory in a restricted maiden special weight on August 3 sprinting 5 1/2 furlongs. She rallied from 14 lengths off the pace impressively under Jose Lezcano to chase four-wide into turn and kick clear in the lane to a 2 1/4-length score that was awarded a field-best 71 Beyer Speed Figure. Out of the multiple graded stakes-winning Lord of England mare Olorda, Gala Brand was a $30,000 purchase at the Keeneland September Yearling Sale.

Completing the field are Wine Collector [post 3, Ricardo Santana, Jr.], who won at third asking for conditioner Rodolfo Sanchez-Salomon; maiden runner-up British Sea [post 6, Manny Franco] for trainer Mike Maker; and debut maiden winner Nomos [post 7, Irad Ortiz Jr.] for trainer Todd Pletcher.

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