Arcangelo will be scratched from Breeders’ Cup Classic

Belmont Stakes winner Arcangelo will be scratched from the Breeders’ Cup Classic because of a problem with a hind foot.

Trainer Jena Antonucci confirmed a social-media post by David Grening of Daily Racing Form that more time is needed to diagnose the Arrogate colt.

"To properly assess where we have going on, we have withdrawal times and things that are in place that you can only medicate or treat or sedate horses a certain way," Antonucci told Horse Racing Nation on Tuesday. "And so to properly assess horses and do this the right way, to make sure our horse is safe, I'm just running out of time. So I've run out of time to make sure we assess this horse responsibly. And the horse is well … and we're going to continue to do what's right for him as we always will."

Antonucci said Arcangelo otherwise is healthy. "He's a wild man in the barn. … Literally he's like bucking and wheeling in the stall, like, could we please not do that, sir?"

Antonucci told HRN on Monday that Arcangelo had warmth on the foot on Saturday, so his shoe was removed. She said then that he was recovering well and that she would continue to assess him.

She said Tuesday she didn't know yet what might be next for the colt. Owner Jon Ebbert told DRF he will be retired to stand at Lane's End Farm.

Antonucci didn't seem as disappointed as might be expected after having to miss her first shot at the Breeders' Cup.

"I'm honestly feeling quite OK," she said. "It's a horse race. And I'm not minimizing it, it's an amazing opportunity. But my horse being safe and well is our priority, and I'm very OK with where we sit."

Arcangelo last worked on Wednesday, going four furlongs in 47.4 seconds at Santa Anita. The Belmont Stakes and Grade 1 Travers winner has had three works at Santa Anita since Oct. 5, all 10 days apart. The 10-day intervals between works and races have been more or less the standard for the son of Arrogate since his Belmont win.