Arcangelo triumphant in the Travers (G1)

2023 Travers Stakes Results

Javier Castellano celebrates aboard Arcangelo after the 2023 Travers Stakes. Undercard Stakes – Ballerina Handicap, H. Allen Jerkens Memorial, and Forego.

Date: 08/26/2023

The highlight of the Saratoga meeting is the $1.25 million Travers Stakes (G1) featuring the best 3-year-olds on the east coast going 1 1/4 miles on the main track, with 48,292 fans packing the historic upstate oval. A field of 7 went to post under dark overcast skies and temperatures in the mid 70’s for the 154th “Midsummer Derby”, with the track rated muddy after rain fell earlier in the day. Florida Derby (G1) winner and Belmont Stakes (G1) runner-up Forte was sent off as the 7-4 favorite off his win in the Jim Dandy (G1). In to challenge him included 5-2 second choice Arcangelo, winner of the Peter Pan (G3) and Belmont Stakes (G1), and 9-2 third choice Mage, winner of the Kentucky Derby (G1) before finishing third in the Preakness (G1) and second in the Haskell (G1).

Arcangelo leads in the stretch

Jockey Junior Alvarado sent 15-2 Scotland to the lead first time by through fractions of 23.46, 48.10, 1:11.73, and 1:36.38 while pressed by 13-2 fourth choice National Treasure and stalked by 13-1 Tapit Trice. Turning for home Scotland tired badly as Arcangelo, 4th early under Javier Castellano, came out 4 wide to open up a 3 length lead through 9f in 1:49.09. 12-1 Disarm, 7th early under Joel Rosario, put in a strong late rally but Arcangelo easily held him off by a length in 2:02.23. It was another 2 1/2 lengths back to Tapit Trice third, and 4 1/2 more to favorite Forte fourth.

Previous winners of the Travers

Pgm  Horse              Jockey         Win   Place   Show
 2   Arcangelo          Castellano    7.40    5.30   3.90
 6   Disarm             Rosario               8.00   5.80
 3   Tapit Trice        Ortiz                        6.00

Winning Time:  2:02.23

$1 Exacta 2-6                 36.25
$1 Trifecta 2-6-3            281.50
$1 Superfecta 2-6-3-1        788.00

Results Chart

Left: Arcangelo heads to the winner’s circle. Winning trainer Jena Antonucci said, “(The 11 weeks off) just never was a layoff in my mind with this horse. I understand the traditionalists of this sport are always going to view gaps in that manner. This horse has had his entire career that way because Jon wants this horse to be brought along slowly, correctly, and be given the time he needs to grow up. I feel we have respected that with the horse and Jon has respected that in the horse.”

Right: Arcangelo returns after the race. Winning owner Jon Ebbert said, “Unbelievable job by Jena. A lot of people were counting us out because of the 11 weeks, but we did the right thing.” Antonucci added, “I guess the more this horse does, the more we’re going to keep writing some history. Again, just immense gratitude for all this and this horse, most importantly.”

Left: Second place finisher Disarm returns after the race. Jockey Joel Rosario said, “Turning for home, I kind of waited a little bit, but that horse came in a little bit. I made my way in there [inside] which was OK, he ran a big race. For a second I thought maybe [we would get there]. But that horse kind of at that point got the jump on us. And for a second, oh maybe we are going to get him, but he kept moving. But that was a good performance from him I think.”

Right: Third place finisher Tapit Trice returns after the race. Jockey Jose Ortiz said, “Broke OK, developed good speed passing the wire. I didn’t want to take him back. I didn’t want to take that away from him. He was there, I let him be. I think he ran a good race. I know him better now, so hopefully I stay on moving forward. I think we’re going to get a big one. This is a nice horse.”

Also on the card: Undercard Stakes – Ballerina Handicap, H. Allen Jerkens Memorial, and Forego.

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