Arcangelo emerged as the victor in Saturday’s Grade I Travers Stakes at Saratoga, solidifying his position as the top 3-year-old in the division. The race marked an exceptional display of skill and determination, as Arcangelo outran Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes winners, as well as last year’s juvenile champion. In a tragic turn of events, two horses suffered fatal injuries during races on the Travers undercard, casting a somber shadow over an otherwise exhilarating weekend of top-class racing.
When Arcangelo triumphed at Gulfstream Park on March 18, nobody could have predicted his meteoric rise to the top of the ranks. Just over five months later, he stands as the champion among 3-year-olds, having conquered the Grade II Peter Pan at Belmont Park in May and defeated last year’s juvenile champ, Forte, in the Belmont Stakes. Now, at Saratoga, Arcangelo showcased his dominance once again, leaving all other contenders in his wake to claim victory in the $1.25 million Grade I Travers. Disarm finished a commendable second, with Tapit Trice securing third place and Forte ending up in fourth. National Treasure, Preakness winner, could only manage fifth place, while the pacesetter Scotland and Kentucky Derby winner Mage finished in sixth and last place, respectively. With an outstanding seventh Travers win under his belt, jockey Javier Castellano guided Arcangelo to complete the 1 1/4-mile muddy track in 1:02.23.
Despite facing criticism for giving Arcangelo an 11-week break between the Belmont and the Travers, winning trainer Jena Antonucci defended her decision, stating emphatically that she knew what she was doing. Owner Jon Ebbert’s intention was to develop his horse gradually, allowing him the time he needed to mature. Notably, the Breeders’ Cup Classic lies 10 weeks after the Travers, and it is worth mentioning that Arcangelo’s sire, Arrogate, won both the Travers and the Classic without any intervening races, ultimately securing the 3-year-old championship. Bob Baffert’s strategic acumen was evident that year, and it leaves one wondering who will reign as the number one contender in the division now.
Mike Repole, owner of Forte, had no qualms about declaring Arcangelo the top 3-year-old in the country. “I’m not afraid to say it. That’s the top 3-year-old in the country. No doubt,” Repole confidently asserted. Meanwhile, Repole is already setting his sights on the 2024 Classics.
In Friday night’s Grade III West Virginia Classic at Charles Town, Classic Skippylongstocking surged ahead early and maintained his lead throughout, triumphing by a comfortable 5-length margin. O’Connor made a remarkable recovery after a slow start to secure second place, with Dash Attack finishing third. Leading prominent trainer Saffie Joseph Jr., 4-year-old Exaggerator colt Skippylongstocking completed the 1 1/8-mile wet-fast track in 1:51.37. This impressive victory followed his second-place finish in the Cornhusker Handicap at Prairie Meadows and his previous win in last year’s Grade III West Virginia Derby at Mountaineer.
Friday afternoon at the sloppy Saratoga track, Idiomatic and jockey Florent Geroux pulled off a flawless run, leading from start to finish and securing victory by a commanding 4-length margin in the $500,000 Grade I Personal Ensign. In a late surge, Secret Oath overtook the favorite, Nest, to snatch second place by a neck. The trailing horses were left in the muddled aftermath of the kickback. The 4-year-old Curlin filly, Idiomatic, ran a swift 1 1/8 miles in 1:49.12, clinching her third consecutive win and her sixth win out of the last seven starts. The Personal Ensign marked her first appearance in a Grade I race, and trainer Brad Cox acknowledged the caliber of the competition, referring to the rivals as “champions” and recognizing their significant achievements. Cox stated that the $600,000 Grade I Spinster at Keeneland on October 8 is a strong possibility for Idiomatic, expressing his belief that she would fare well at Keeneland. As for the ultimate goal, Cox remarked, “Breeders’ Cup is obviously the main goal, but how we get there, I’m not sure yet.”
In the Grade I H. Allen Jerkens Memorial for 3-year-olds at Saratoga, tragedy struck when New York Thunder, an undefeated rising star, suffered a fatal injury just shy of the finish line while holding a commanding lead. As a result, the victor, One in Vermillion, an Army Mule colt based in Minnesota, emerged as the official winner. One in Vermillion now boasts six wins out of 12 starts, having recently finished third in the Grade III West Virginia Derby. Prior to the tragic incident, New York Thunder, a Nyquist colt, had won all previous four starts with significant leads, including a victory in the Grade II Amsterdam at Saratoga on July 28. Irad Ortiz Jr., the jockey who rode One in Vermillion, expressed his heartfelt condolences and sincere sadness, acknowledging the devastating nature of the circumstances. Ortiz stated, “You don’t want to win a Grade 1 that way, but it is what it is. Speechless. Nothing you can say about it. It’s so sad for everybody who loved this horse.”
Earlier in the same day, tragedy struck again when Nobel, a 4-year-old Lope de Vega colt, sustained a fatal injury while galloping out after the fifth race and had to be euthanized. David O’Rourke, president and CEO of the New York Racing Association, released a statement expressing condolences and vowing to thoroughly investigate the deaths. Churchill Downs faced a similar situation earlier this year, leading to the suspension of their spring meeting and a shift in racing to Ellis Park in Kentucky.
The Grade I Forego Stakes at Saratoga gathered older sprinters, with Gunite turning the tables on Elite Power, his recent rival, and emerging victorious after finishing second to Elite Power in their last two encounters. Gunite, a 4-year-old Gun Runner colt, secured the lead from the start with a strong ride from jockey Tyler Gaffalione. Elite Power, the odds-on favorite, failed to catch up after trailing closely, resulting in a 1 3/4-length victory for Gunite. High Oak finished a distant third, 4 lengths behind Elite Power. Gunite, trained by Steve Asmussen, covered 7 furlongs on a fast track in 1:21.53. Elite Power boasted an impressive winning streak, including victories in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint and the Group 3 Riyadh Dirt Sprint in Saudi Arabia. Asmussen commended Gunite’s consistent performance, praising him as a remarkable horse capable of competing at a high level without flinching.
At Del Mar on Saturday, Anarchist made a strong move on the outside as they turned for home in the Grade II Pat O’Brien Stakes. He surged to the front and won by 3/4 length, leaving Bye Bye Bobby to finish second after a remarkable late run. C Z Rocket settled for third in the 7-furlong race, which serves as a “Win and You’re In” qualifier for the Breeders’ Cup Sprint in November. Under the guidance of jockey Ramon Vazquez, 4-year-old Distorted Humor colt Anarchist completed the race in 1:23.21, securing victory for trainer Doug O’Neill. Anarchist had previously broken his maiden at Ellis Park and demonstrated his talent once again.
Overall, this weekend of racing delivered moments of triumph, heartbreak, and reflection. The victories and achievements of the top contenders mark significant milestones in their careers, while the untimely demise of New York Thunder and Nobel serve as stark reminders of the inherent risks within the sport. The New York Racing Association and state regulators are diligently investigating the incidents, echoing the commitment to ensure the safety and well-being of the horses. The scrutinized surfaces at Saratoga will undergo further examination in pursuit of continual improvement. As the racing community mourns these losses, it reflects on the progress made in reducing serious injuries over the past decade while recognizing that there is still work to be done.
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