Leading Breeders' Cup Classic contender Arcangelo had his first work at Santa Anita Thursday. With trainer Jena Antonucci on hand from New York to observe, Arcangelo was officially credited with a five furlong move in 1:02.20.
“We're just getting him used to the track,” Antonucci said after the drill. “There's plenty of time go fast.”
Winner of this year's Belmont Stakes and Travers, both in New York, Arcangelo is the No. 1 ranked contender in this year's official Breeders' Cup Classic rankings. The $6 million Classic at 1 ¼ miles will be run Nov. 4 at Santa Anita.
For Thursday's work, which came under exercise rider Robert Mallari, Arcangelo was outfitted in the low-cut blinkers he has worn in recent races. Antonucci said he will remain in the equipment for the Classic.
“I think they've worked out well to this point,” Antonucci added with a grin.
Highly respected private clocker Gary Young timed Arcangelo's work a bit quicker than the official time. Young had the son of Arrogate going five furlongs in 1:01.60 with a six-furlong gallop-out in 1:16.20. Fractions clocked by Young were 13.20 seconds for the opening furlong, 25.4 for a quarter mile, 37.60 for three furlongs and 49.80 for a half mile.
Antonucci is scheduled to return to New York Friday morning. She'll be back at Santa Anita later this month and will stay here through the Breeders' Cup.
In other Breeders' Cup news, three contenders trained by Steve Asmussen – Echo Zulu, Society and Private Creed – are scheduled to work on Friday, assistant Scott Blasi said. Stablemates Clairiere and Gunite will work Saturday.
Echo Zulu, a perfect 3-for-3 this year, is possible to take on males in the Breeders' Cup Sprint going six furlongs. Society, winner of the G3 Chicago at Ellis Park and Misty Bennet Pink Ribbon Stakes at Charles Town in her two most recent starts, is targeting the Breeders' Cup Distaff. Private Creed, a 3-year-old Jimmy Creed colt, is eyeing the five-furlong Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint after earning his first graded-stakes win in the G2 Franklin-Simpson Stakes at Kentucky Downs Sept. 9.
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