Belmont Stakes 2023: Peter Pan winner Arcangelo is a definite

Trainer Jena Antonucci said Thursday that Arcangelo, winner of the Grade 3 Peter Pan, is a definite for Belmont Stakes next Saturday.

"We've kept in true form with Arcangelo, letting us listen to him and lead the way," Antonucci said in a video announcing the decision. "He's come out of his work yesterday really well."

The Arrogate colt breezed five furlongs in 1:02.81 at Belmont Park Wednesday, second-fastest of five at the distance.

Javier Castellano, winner of the Kentucky Derby with Mage, will ride Arcangelo in the Belmont and was on him for his Wednesday work.

"I let him gallop out and in the turn I asked him a little bit and he took off and (had a) good open gallop," Castellano said after the work. "He's a big horse, long beautiful stride. He likes to reach for more ground. The farther he can go, the more he's comfortable."

Arcangelo has had four starts, all this year. He broke his maiden at Gulfstream in March on his third try before holding off favorite Bishops Bay to win by a head in the Peter Pan, also with Castellano in the saddle. The Belmont will be his first race around two turns.

“He's a horse that we've just been super patient with to allow him to get himself together,” Antonucci told Horse Racing Nation on Monday for a Barn Tour feature. “No surprise, no hidden details, being a May foal and an Arrogate, and, and, and – he just needed some time to come into the zone physically, mentally."