When Mage, the winner of the 2023 Kentucky Derby, fell quick within the Preakness, it meant that there wouldn’t be a Triple Crown winner this horse racing season.
Nonetheless, historical past was nonetheless made at Saturday’s Belmont Stakes.
Arcangelo, who didn’t run at both the Kentucky Derby or the Preakness, got here house the winner on the Belmont Stakes. Going off at 7-1, Arcangelo was close to the again of the sphere all through the primary a part of the race, however inside hanging distance of race chief Nationwide Treasure, who scored a win within the Preakness.
Arcangelo surged by to the within on the ultimate flip, and constructed a commanding lead down the stretch:
With Arcangelo coming throughout the winner, it marked historical past within the sport. Coach Jena Antonucci grew to become the primary girl coach to win a Triple Crown race:
“By no means quit. And in case you can’t discover a seat on the desk, make your individual desk. Construct your staff, and by no means quit. You’re seen, individuals see you, simply hold working your butt off.”
Arcangelo was competing in his fifth race after three begins in Gulfstream Park and a win at Belmont Park’s Peter Pan Stakes in Could.
That the Belmont occurred in any respect was one thing of an upset. The Northeast was coping with smoke from wildfires in Canada all through many of the weak, and poor air high quality led to the cancelation of races on Thursday. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul warned the Belmont Stakes might see the identical destiny if the air high quality didn’t enhance in time, however situations eased because the week ended, opening the door for the one hundred and fifty fifth Belmont Stakes.
And paving the best way for historical past.