What we learned: Arcangelo is helped by inside Belmont trip

Editor's note: Reinier picked Arcangelo in Horse Racing Nation's expert picks feature, and ahead of the race, he explained why Arcangelo had a good chance to win.

Only two starts after breaking his maiden, Arcangelo finds himself in the top mix of 3-year-olds after capturing the Belmont Stakes for trainer Jena Antonucci and Blue Rose Farms. As a descendant of Better Than Honour, Arcangelo kept the great broodmare’s name alive in this race once again.

Arcangelo received a helpful ground-saving trip, and that probably made the difference in the stretch when he opened up to win the race.

As Fox announcer Tom Durkin said, Arcangelo rode the rail on the first turn right behind the long shot Tapit Shoes, who initially kept National Treasure company up front. Forte and Hit Show were right outside of Arcangelo, and then Angel of Empire came to join the pack. 

National Treasure led the field through opening fractions of 23.63 and 47.69 seconds, which are fast numbers for a dirt marathon, even at this level. TimeformUS gave a red label to all the fractions.

On the backside, Arcangelo’s jockey Javier Castellano did not want to travel behind the long shot Tapit Shoes. Castellano took his mount temporarily off the inside and fit Arcangelo between Tapit Shoes and Hit Show, which was an excellent move that paid off later near the turn.

With the pace and higher class proving too difficult, Tapit Shoes began to fade on the approach to the far turn. If Arcangelo had stayed in that position longer, there was a chance Tapit Shoes would back up into him.

Instead of backing into Arcangelo, Tapit Shoes folded back into no one. Arcangelo went back to the inside and found luck when National Treasure left an opening. Arcangelo took the opportunity to move forward and face National Treasure, and the two horses met each other in the eye as they reached the end of the turn and entered the stretch.  

Not only did Arcangelo move forward, but he ended up saving ground again on the second turn, which goes a long way at Belmont Park.

National Treasure initially tried to fight back, but the combination of a fast pace and longer distance most likely affected him. Arcangelo took command of the lead in the early stretch as National Treasure faded out. Behind them, Hit Show, Angel of Empire and Tapit Trice were trying to rally, but it did not seem like that trio was making any real progress late. 

Even though the closers eventually cut the gap, Arcangelo held a big enough lead and finished out the race in a strong manner with a 1 1/2-length winning margin. Forte came rallying on the outside to pass the stuck trio and pick up second. Tapit Trice ended up in third and Angel of Empire deadheated with Hit Show for the final superfecta position.

The son of Arrogate completed the 12 furlongs in 2:29.23, which resulted in a 102 Beyer Speed Figure and 120 TimeformUS Speed Figure.

Although some odd Belmont winners never win anything important again, such as Ruler on Ice and Sir Winston, it does not feel like Arcangelo’s story will play out that way. As seen by his Peter Pan Stakes (G3) win over Bishops Bay, Arcangelo can defeat a talented horse at a shorter distance.

In all likelihood, Arcangelo will run well in the summer and fall 3-year-old races, especially in a longer race such as the 1 1/4-mile Travers Stakes (G1). As long as this ridgling remains healthy, he is a threat. 

Forte gave a solid effort for second. Even though he came too late to catch the winner, the fact that he passed the trio of Hit Show, Angel of Empire and Tapit Trice to pick up the runner-up spot was a notable feat. On paper, Forte did not show the best breeding for 12 furlongs, but he outran his pedigree.

After all the talk of Tapit Trice being built for the Belmont, he could turn in only a decent effort for third after struggling to pass Hit Show and Angel of Empire. It took Forte’s run on the outside to urge him forward.

Angel of Empire burned significant money again at 3-1 with his fourth-place finish. This closer received a lot of attention for his Kentucky Derby closing run for third, but he never threatened Mage in that race. He only closed the gap in the last moments to give a slight illusion. In the Belmont, Angel of Empire never threatened the leader either.

Hit Show had a clear stalking position around the first turn. But when it came time to run on the far turn, Hit Show had trouble tipping out because Angel of Empire ran alongside him. In the stretch run, Hit Show had no excuse.

Watch Arcangelo as the season moves on. Although he did take advantage of a good ground-saving trip in his winning effort, he also has the potential to become a star.