The 2023 Breeders’ Cup event is fast approaching, and discussing the favorites to win the classic intensifies. Arcangelo is one of the named favorites for this year’s Breeders’ Cup Classic race. This 3-year-old colt is about to face other strong names in the industry but has risen above them all and become the heavy favorite.
Fans, bettors, and experts consider many factors before they name a favorite on a specific race. It’s also highly encouraged to research the 2023 Breeders’ Cup Classis contenders and not rely on what other people say or think.
To jump-start your research, you can begin by getting to know Arcangelo, the favorite to win the 2023 Breeders’ Cup Classic, and slowly move to each contender one by one. So, without further ado, let’s start getting to know Arcangelo, the 2023 Breeders’ Cup favorite.
Arcangelo’s Pedigree
Arcangelo is the offspring of the US Hall of Famer thoroughbred Arrogate. Arrogate was one of the unforgettable horses in the horse racing industry in the United States. He took the racing scene by storm with his record-breaking performances.
He won the 2016 Breeders’ Cup Classic and the Travers Stakes in record time. His skills and talent on the racetrack catapulted Arrogate to being one of the greatest of all time. Unfortunately, Arrogate died due to a neurological illness at 7. Thankfully, he had produced a racehorse with his genes that became one of the horses to watch out for this year, Arcangelo.
Arrogate was paired with Modeling, a female unraced horse carrying the DNA of Tapit, another strong racehorse in the US racing industry. Although Modeling didn’t race, and we can’t get enough information or proof on how she will perform on a racetrack, it’s important to note that she is a sibling stakes winner in Treasuring, Cascading, and Streaming.
It means that Modeling has a winner gene in her blood that she passed on to Arcangelo. It’s unsurprising that many bettors and experts favored Arcangelo to win the Breeders’ Cup this year and became the number one TVG Breeders Cup picks.
The Trainer Behind The Scene
The horse trainer plays a significant role in the thoroughbred’s success on the racetrack. If you have been watching or betting on horse races, you might already notice a pattern on the winning horses’ trainers.
Well-known trainers train most of the racehorses who won most races in the industry. That’s proof that the trainer plays a vital role in the outcome of a horse race. Therefore, we must discuss Arcangelo’s trainer and see if he can produce a real champion on the racetrack.
Arcangelo is trained and managed by Jena M. Antonucci, a female thoroughbred trainer. Antonucci was the first woman to train a winner of a Triple Crown race when Arcangelo won the 155th running of the Belmont Stakes.
Arcangelo opened the doors for Jena Antonucci in a sport dominated by men. Furthermore, the Belmont Stakes isn’t the only race that Antonucci and Arcangelo dominated this year. Their team also won the Travers Stakes and the Peter Pan Stakes.
Antonucci also trained racehorse Doctor J Dub, who won the 2016 Turf Monster race. It’s safe to say that Arcangelo and Antonucci’s relationship is strong, and their chemistry is just right to dominate this year’s Breeders’ Cup Classic race.
Past Performances of Arcangelo
It was already mentioned that Arcangelo won three races this year: the Belmont Stakes, Travers Stakes, and the Peter Pan Stakes. That said, Arcangelo is undefeated since his last attempt on the MSW race.
Arcangelo made history when he won the Belmont Stakes. He didn’t only make a name for himself but also for his trainer, putting Jena Antonucci in the spotlight. The victory of Arcangelo brought a positive light to the horse racing industry after the Triple Crown was marred by the deaths of 12 horses at Churchill Downs.
The 3-year-old colt Arcangelo was never a favorite to win the Belmont Stakes. The three horses that were prospected to win were Forte, Tapit Trice, and Angel of Empire.
He was a clear underdog in the race, which made their victory sweeter. But despite being a long shot in the race, he still managed to show the world his capability to win and make a record in horse racing history.
Even on the 2023 Travers Stakes race, Arcangelo entered as a non-favorite. Forte was the title holder, but Arcangelo proved to the world that he was this year’s best racehorse. And now, with all his achievements, he is entering the Breeders’ Cup Classic race as a heavy favorite.
He maintains his position in the 2023 Breeders’ Cup Classic poll ranking. The poll is tabulated by a panel of media members, Breeders’ Cup World Championships officials, and horseplayers each week leading to the Breeders’ Cup race.
Final Thoughts
Arcangelo is a thoroughbred that wasn’t expected to rise above every other racehorse this year. Even the most popular names this year were defeated by Arcangelo. That’s why it’s wise to keep an eye on this 3-year-old colt in the upcoming Breeders’ Cup Classic race, as he will bring value to your bet.
