Ocala’s Jena Antonucci Became First Woman to Train a

When Arcangelo Took the 2023 Belmont Stakes

BY JOANN GUIDRY

Triple Crown Race Winner

Prior to this year’s $1.5 million Belmont presented by NYRA Bets (Grade 1) on June 10, 43 women trainers had run horses in Triple Crown races with none managing to come away with a victory in the Kentucky Derby (G1), Preakness (G1) nor Belmont.

For Ocala-based trainer Jena Antonucci, being number 44 changed all that when Arcangelo captured the 155th Belmont Stakes. She became the first woman trainer to saddle the winner of a Triple Crown race, smashing one of the oldest glass ceilings in sports.

And the subsequent video footage of Antonucci, owner Jon Ebbert of Blue Rose Farm and Arcangelo’s entourage watching the race unfold on a monitor in their grandstand box – with Antonucci ardently cheering on Hall of Fame jockey Javier Castellano and Arcangelo during the stretch run of the mile-and-a-half classic–became part of racing lore.

In the final moments of the mile-and-a-half Belmont, FOX Sports television cameras caught Antonucci ardently encouraging Castellano aboard Arcangelo.

“Come on Javy! Come on Javy! Come on Javy!,” Antonucci yelled at the monitor between glances down the track as Arcangelo surged to the lead in deep stretch. In the instant Arcangelo and Castellano raced under the wire, Antonucci suddenly collapsed to one knee, grabbed, and for a brief moment, rested her head on the back a nearby chair in an apparent rush of emotion, gratification and joy before erupting into the hugs and elation of all nearby.

Moments later, while racing through the Belmont grandstand to meet Castellano and Arcangelo in the winner’s circle, Antonucci provided another memorable moment of inspiration when stopped by FOX Sports’ Tom Rinaldi.

“Never give up,” Antonucci said to Rinaldi. “And if you can’t find a seat at the table, build your table.”

Moments later, a jubilant Antonucci raised the Belmont Stakes trophy above her head in triumph.

“I actually went to my knees on purpose. I needed a moment to catch my breath,” Antonucci, 47, later said to The Florida Horse. “We had a plan with Arcangelo, executed that plan and it all came to fruition. It was all so special.”

And following Antonucci’s historical victory, the media blitz began immediately with post-Belmont Stakes interviews.

“Despite our confidence in our plan, I had arranged to fly back home on Sunday,” Antonucci admitted. “I drove from the airport to Ocala, unpacked my bag, repacked my bag, drove back to the airport and flew right back to New York for a Monday morning television interview.”