A joyous Jena Antonucci after Arcangelo’s winning effort in the Travers (Susie Raisher)
NYRA Press Office
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y.— While some racing fans may be new to the name Jena Antonucci, the longtime horsewoman is far from a novice in the industry.
The 47-year-old conditioner 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 Grade 1 Belmont Stakes presented by NYRA Bets in June and the Grade 1, $1.25 million Travers 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 event. Ridden again by Hall of Famer 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,’” Castellano said, 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 Grade 1 Kentucky Derby 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 Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Classic 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.
“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.”
