Arcangelo scratches from Breeders' Cup Classic, retired from racing
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ARCADIA, Calif. – Arcangelo, the Belmont Stakes and Travers winner, will scratch from Saturday’s $6 million Breeders’ Cup Classic due to an issue with his left hind foot, trainer Jena Antonucci said Tuesday.
Further, Arcangelo will be retired from racing and stand at stud at Lane’s End Farm in 2024, owner Jon Ebbert said Tuesday. A deal to have him stand at Lane’s End upon his retirement was announced about two weeks ago.
Ebbert said he had the option of running the horse in 2024, but ultimately decided to retire him.
“I was up in the air about it, I just think the timing’s right,” Ebbert told Daily Racing Form. “He’ll stand at Lane’s End in 2024. I guess it wasn’t meant to be. It was such a good ride.”
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Arcangelo hadn’t trained Sunday through Tuesday due to some warmth in his left hind foot. Antonucci pulled the left hind shoe, and though the foot was showing some improvement, Antonucci said “with the race so close we have run out of time.
“We are going to be scratching, we need more time to diagnose the horse is well,” Antonucci said. “We’ll do what we always do in putting him first, even if it means we will not be able to participate.”
Arcangelo, a son of Arrogate was purchased for $35,000 by Ebbert at the Keeneland September sale in 2021. It was at that sale that Ebbert met Antonucci and ultimately gave Antonucci the horse to train.
Arcangelo lost his first two starts in maiden races at Gulfstream Park in December and January. He then won a one-mile maiden race on March 18, which started a four-race winning streak that included the Grade 3 Peter Pan, Belmont Stakes, and Travers.
The win in the Belmont made Antonucci the first female trainer to win a Triple Crown race. Antonucci became just the second woman trainer to win the Travers.
Arcangelo retires with a career record of 6-4-1-0 with earnings of $1,754,900. Despite the scratch, he remains a leading contender for the Eclipse Award in the 3-year-old division.
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