Workouts: Arcangelo is among 12 graded winners on U.S. tabs

Belmont Stakes winner Arcangelo worked five-eighths of a mile in 1:01.23 Wednesday morning over the Saratoga main track in preparation for the Grade 1, $1.25 million Travers slated for Aug. 26.

Trained by Jena Antonucci and piloted through the work by Hall of Famer Javier Castellano, the ridgling owned by Blue Rose Farm was caught by New York Racing Association clockers through splits of 24.2 and 36.4 seconds before galloping out in 1:14.4 and 1:27.0.

Stakes Tracker: See where these workers may race next.

“He was great. It was a beautiful work. Javier was very pleased,” Antonucci said.

It was the third breeze over Saratoga's main track for the Arrogate gray.

“He loves it. We’re so blessed with him. He doesn’t seem to care what’s underneath him,” Antonucci said. “He handles it beautifully. (NYRA) facilities has done a great job of keeping it very consistent, and he’s thriving off of that.”

Antonucci said Arcangelo has enjoyed breezing on a 10-day schedule as opposed to the more common every-seven-days routine.

“You have to pay attention to your horse and understand who they are,” Antonucci said. “This horse just needs that space, because with his cruising speed and how he trains, he's thrived on more of a 10-day schedule. My job is to listen and stay out of his way.”

Antonucci, who became the first woman to train the winner of a Triple Crown race, said Arcangelo maintained his weight coming out of the grueling, 1 1/2-mile Belmont and has thrived at Saratoga.

“He held really good. He's a good doer. He definitely hasn’t regressed at all. He’s definitely come forward,” Antonucci said. “Everything else is there. My job is to make sure that the happy and full-of-himself horse stays there.”

Antonucci said Arcangelo, who will breeze twice more before the Travers, should have no trouble with the turnback to 1 1/4 miles.

“We were one of the fastest miles at Gulfstream breaking his maiden, so cruising speed is definitely not an issue with him,” Antonucci said.

Arcangelo was among 12 graded-stakes winners from the barns of 11 trainers who appeared on Wednesday work tabs at seven tracks across the country.

Arcangelo (Arrogate), a Grade 1 winner (2023 Belmont), worked five furlongs in 1:01.23 at Saratoga on Wednesday morning. It was the second fastest of 10 works at the distance. His previous work was nine days ago going six furlongs at Saratoga. In his last start he won the Belmont going 1 1/2 miles on the main track at Belmont Park on June 10 for trainer Jena Antonucci.

Leave No Trace (Outwork), a Grade 1 winner (2022 Spinaway), worked five furlongs in 1:02.4 at Saratoga. It was the eighth fastest of 10 works at the distance. Her previous work was seven days ago going four furlongs at Saratoga. In her last start she placed eighth in the Davona Dale (G2) going one mile on the main track at Gulfstream Park on March 4 for trainer Phil Serpe.

Brooklyn Strong (Wicked Strong), a Grade 2 winner (2020 Remsen), worked four furlongs in 51.2 seconds at Gulfstream Park. It was the 12th fastest of 13 works at the distance. This was his first work since his last race. In his last start he placed 11th in the Commentator going 1 1/16 miles on the main track at Belmont Park on May 29 for trainer Victor Barboza.

City Man (Mucho Macho Man), a Grade 2 winner (2022 Fort Lauderdale), worked four furlongs in 48.2 seconds at Belmont Park. It was the fourth fastest of 25 works at the distance. His previous work was eight days ago going three furlongs at Belmont Park. In his last start he won the Kingston going 1 1/16 miles on the turf at Belmont Park on May 29 for trainer Christophe Clément.

Last Samurai (Malibu Moon), a Grade 2 winner (2022 Oaklawn Handicap), worked five furlongs in 1:01.0 at Churchill Downs. It was the fastest of five works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going five furlongs at Churchill Downs. In his last start he placed fourth in the Stephen Foster (G1) going 1 1/8 miles on the main track at Ellis Park on July 1 for trainer D. Wayne Lukas.

Offlee Naughty (Flashback), a Grade 2 winner (2023 Charles Whittingham), worked five furlongs in 1:00.8 at Del Mar. It was the 10th fastest of 20 works at the distance. His previous work was eight days ago going three furlongs at Del Mar. In his last start he placed second in the San Juan Capistrano (G3) going 1 3/4 miles on the turf at Santa Anita on June 18 for trainer Michael McCarthy.

Amazing Grace (Protectionist), a Grade 3 winner (2023 Orchid), worked four furlongs in 50.2 seconds at Saratoga. It was the ninth fastest of 11 works at the distance. Her previous work was 19 days ago going four furlongs at Belmont Park. In her last start she placed fourth in the Belmont Gold Cup (G2) going 2 miles on the turf at Belmont Park on June 9 for Clément.

Battle Bling (Vancouver), a Grade 3 winner (2022 Turnback the Alarm Handicap), worked four furlongs in 50.8 seconds at Belmont Park. It was the 20th fastest of 25 works at the distance. This was her first work since her last race. In her last start she placed sixth in the Delaware Handicap (G2) going 1 3/16 miles on the main track at Delaware Park on July 8 for trainer Rob Atras.

Becky’s Joker (Practical Joke), a Grade 3 winner (2023 Schuylerville), worked four furlongs in 47.4 seconds at Saratoga. It was the fastest of 11 works at the distance. This was her first work since her last race. In her last start she won the Schuylerville (G3) going six furlongs on the main track at Saratoga on July 13 for trainer Gary Contessa.

Classier (Empire Maker), a Grade 3 winner (2021 Los Alamitos Derby), worked four furlongs in 48.4 seconds at Pimlico. It was the fastest of eight works at the distance. This was his first work since his last race. In his last start he won an allowance race going 6 1/2 furlongs on the main track at Charles Town on July 8 for trainer Kieron Magee.

Hopeful Treasure (Oxbow), a Grade 3 winner (2021 Fall Highweight Handicap), worked four furlongs in 48.1 seconds at Parx Racing. It was the fifth fastest of 14 works at the distance. This was his first work since his last race. In his last start he won an allowance race going six furlongs on the main track at Parx Racing on June 26 for trainer Michael Catalano.

White Frost (Candy Ride), a Grade 3 winner (2021 Sweetest Chant), worked five furlongs in 1:00.9 at Saratoga. It was the second fastest of four works at the distance. Her previous work was 12 days ago going four furlongs at Churchill Downs. In her last start she placed second in the Anchorage Overnight going one mile on the turf at Ellis Park on July 2 for trainer Bill Mott.