Belmont Stakes: Arcangelo sneaks in surprise workout

ELMONT, N.Y. - When trainer Jena Antonucci sent Belmont Stakes contender Arcangelo out to train Tuesday morning, she was just looking for an open gallop where the colt would click off furlongs at a rate of approximately 15 seconds over a mile distance.

Arcangelo had a different plan.

Arcangelo, under exercise rider Robert Mallari, put in what Daily Racing Form is calling a five-furlong work in 1:02.47, one in which he got his last three furlongs in 36.75 seconds while continuing out six furlongs in 1:15.25, seven furlongs in 1:27.55, and a mile in 1:40.44.

Tuesday’s seemingly unplanned work was faster than Arcangelo’s actual five-furlong move on May 31 when he went in 1:03.18 and out a mile in 1:41.38.

“Spooky,” Antonucci said Tuesday. “That’s just him. It’s his journey, we are trying to stay out of his way. Today, he wanted to stretch his legs, and stretch his lungs. He’s a very good-feeling colt.”

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Arcangelo, a son of Arrogate, has won his last two starts, including the Grade 3 Peter Pan Stakes here going 1 1/8 miles. He was not an original Triple Crown nominee and is being supplemented to the Belmont for a fee of $50,000.

He is one of nine horses expected in the Belmont. Post positions were to be drawn at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday.

In addition to Arcangelo, the field is to include Preakness winner National Treasure, Forte, Tapit Trice, Angel of Empire, Hit Show, Tapit Shoes, Red Route One, and Il Miracolo.

The Brad Cox-trained trio of Angel of Empire, Hit Show, and Tapit Shoes arrived at Belmont early Tuesday morning.

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