Belmont Stakes Clocker: Arcangelo gets stamina work
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Belmont Park
Wednesday, May 31
Weather: Clear
Temperature: 55 degrees
Track: Fast
ELMONT, N.Y. – Only half the prospective 10 starters for this year’s Belmont Stakes are currently on the grounds, and all five of whom got in works over the local strip during the past five days. The last of that group is Peter Pan winner Arcangelo, who breezed shortly after the renovation break under regular rider Javier Castellano here Wednesday.
Arcangelo has proved many times, even before launching his career this winter at Gulfstream Park, that he can work five-eighths in 59 and change like breaking sticks. That is fine if preparing for a six- or seven-furlong maiden dash or even a race like the nine-furlong Peter Pan, but with the 1 1/2-mile Belmont on his agenda trainer Jena Antonucci and Castellano opted to take a much different approach Wednesday and had Arcangelo breeze an easy five furlongs punctuated by a strong, stamina-enhancing gallop-out in what will be his only work between the Peter Pan and Belmont.
Equipped in blinkers, Arcangelo rated kindly from the outset under Castellano, posting leisurely splits of 25.38 seconds and 37.48 for the opening quarter and three furlongs, remaining well within himself to the wire completing the distance in 1:03.13. He then picked up the pace down the home straight and into the sweeping clubhouse turn, seemingly picking up momentum the farther he traveled. He covered six furlongs in 1:15.86 and ultimately a mile in 1:41.38 before finally easing up after 1 1/8 miles in 1:54.51.
Although still relatively inexperienced and getting yet another class check in the Belmont, Arcangelo has progressed steadily since debuting and encountering an eventful trip over a sloppy track last December at Gulfstream Park. Off today’s effort, he may prove capable of both handling the added ground and moving forward once again in the final leg of this year’s Triple Crown.
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