Jena Antonucci

Tina Marie Bond, who previously served as co-vice president of the organization, has been elected to her first term as president of the New York Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association. "I am honored to be chosen as the next president of NYTHA," said Bond. "It is an important time for our industry and the future of horse racing. I look forward to working with NYRA and the New York breeders to continue the great work of keeping New York racing at the top of our industry. We have the best owners, the...

My favorite moment, Arcangelo winning the Belmont, plus the Travers. And his trainer Jena Antonucci's poise and professionalism during his career and how she carried herself through all the hoopla. The most poignant moment, for me, was seeing the empty stall of Maple Leaf Mel with the flowers from the trainer of the winner who showed such great class in declaring that Maple Leaf Mel was clearly the winner and offering his condolences to Melanie.

Edited Press Release Trainer Jena Antonucci sat down with the NYRA Press Office to discuss her accomplishments, MGISW Arcangelo (Arrogate) and the memorable moments that happened to her this year. NYRA: What did it mean to you personally to win the GI Belmont S. and GI Travers S.? Antonucci: "It opened the window for people to see what we've been doing. I've chuckled a little bit at the people who say, 'Oh, she's only ever had one horse.' No, we've actually had a lot, and have won stakes beforehand. Yes,...

As 2023 draws to a close, the TDN is asking industry members to name their favorite moment of the year. Send yours to suefinley@thetdn.com "For me personally, National Treasure winning the Preakness! It was my third win in my favorite race of the year. My favorite racing moment outside of my stable was watching Jena (Antonucci) win the Belmont S. Pure joy! Loved seeing it." --Sol Kumin

Trainer Jena Antonucci, who orchestrated the 2023 campaign of GI Belmont S. and GI Travers S. winner Arcangelo (Arrogate), will be presented with the Big Sport of Turfdom award by the Turf Publicists of America (TPA). The award, which recognizes a person or group of people who enhances coverage of Thoroughbred racing through cooperation with media and racing publicists, will be given to Antonucci at the University of Arizona Race Track Industry Program's annual awards luncheon in Tucson Dec. 5. Born in Hollywood, Florida, Antonucci, 47, was introduced to the...

The candidates for the New York Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association (NYTHA) 2023 Board election were announced earlier last week. The NYTHA Board consists of the President, five Owner Directors and five Trainer or Trainer/Owner Directors. All seats on the Board come up for election every three years. This year, there are two candidates for President, twelve candidates for Owner/Director and nine candidates for Trainer/Trainer-Owner Director. The candidates are as follows: Tina Marie Bond (President), Chad Summers (President), Andrew Aaron (Owner/Director), Tom Bellhouse (Owner/Director), Kevin Brady (Owner/Director), Daniel Collins (Owner/Director), Matthew Cutair...

MGISW Arcangelo (Arrogate) is scheduled to undergo surgery for a left hind short lateral condylar fracture after a consultation by Dr. Larry Bramlage, Lane's End Farm said in a release late Thursday afternoon. The procedure was recommended to expedite the healing process and ensure his long-term soundness. The findings were made during precautionary radiographs that were performed after missing training and scratching from the Breeders' Cup Classic. "We expect a quick recovery and return to normal activities for Arcangelo," said Bill Farish. "We do not anticipate this having any impact...

ARCADIA, CA -- After missing the last three days of training with a foot issue, leading 3-year-old Arcangelo (Arrogate-Modeling, by Tapit) was withdrawn from Saturday's $6-million GI Breeders' Cup Classic at Santa Anita and will be retired to begin his career at stud at Lane's End Farm in 2024. A powerful winner of this year's GI Belmont S. and GI Travers S., the gray had a warm hind foot and had a shoe pulled on Saturday. He was listed as the 7-2 second choice on the morning line for the...

GI Breeders' Cup Classic contender Arabian Knight (Uncle Mo) was first onto the main track Monday morning when he worked a bullet five furlongs in :59 flat, will walk at the barn Tuesday, and then is planned to return to the track Wednesday. "He's healthy, he's working well. There have been no hiccups," Baffert said. "He's ready. I know this is going to be a tough race, but if he brings his 'A' game, I don't really care who's running against us. That's my focus with him." The colt made...

Blue Rose Farm's Arcangelo (Arrogate--Modeling, by Tapit), a likely favorite for the upcoming GI Breeders' Cup Classic, will enter stud at Lane's End Farm at the conclusion of his racing career. The gray went to the head of the sophomore division with victories in the GI Belmont S. and GI Travers S. He also captured this year's GIII Peter Pan S. "It has been a surreal experience to own a horse of this magnitude," said owner Jon Ebbert. "The day I laid eyes on him at the yearling sale, I...

Blue Rose Farm's Arcangelo (Arrogate) continued preparations for the Nov. 4 GI Breeders' Cup Classic with a five-furlong drill in 1:00.00 (3/33) at Santa Anita Sunday. Trainer Jena Antonucci, in from New York to watch the work, clocked Arcangelo's final furlong in under :12. He galloped out an extra two furlongs, which Antonucci clocked in ":13 and change" for each furlong. "It was a serious work. A pretty work," Antonucci said immediately after the drill. "I wanted sub-12 seconds the final furlong, which he gave me. I think I'm pretty...

New Vocations, the largest racehorse adoption agency in the country, has received its first pledge which was made by MGISW Arcangelo (Arrogate)'s trainer Jena Antonucci and owner Jon Ebbert of Blue Rose Farm, the organization said in a release Wednesday morning. This is the 14th annual Breeders' Cup Pledge, in which connections of Breeders' Cup contenders are encouraged to earmark a percentage of their championship earnings to support the charity's mission to rehabilitate, retrain and rehome retired racehorses. To date, the initiative has raised over $1,090,000 in support. "It's no...