'That's What I've Been Waiting For': Javier Castellano Voted Jockey Of The Week After First Belmont Stakes Win
Javier Castellano tips his hat to the crowd after his win aboard Arcangelo in the Belmont Stakes
“This is a dream come true,” said Javier Castellano after winning the first Belmont Stakes (G1) of his stellar career aboard Arcangelo. “That’s what I’ve been waiting for a long time.”
The win was historic for Castellano and for the trainer of Arcangelo, Jena Antonucci, the first female trainer to win a Triple Crown race. The panel of racing experts recognized Castellano with Jockey of the Week honors for June 5 through June 11.
The award acknowledges jockeys for riding accomplishments and who are members of the Jockeys’ Guild, the organization which represents more than 1,050 active, retired and permanently disabled jockeys in the United States.
Arcangelo came into the Belmont after winning the Peter Pan Stakes on May 13 with Castellano aboard.
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Under Castellano, Arcangelo went off as the fifth favorite at 7-1 in the field of nine in the 1 1/2-mile "Test of a Champion.” Breaking cleanly from post position three, Arcangelo raced in a mid-pack stalking position as National Treasure and Tapit Shoes led the field through the opening quarter-mile. National Treasure took command entering the Belmont backstretch with Arcangelo racing in third on the inside. Rounding the far turn, Arcangelo snuck up along the rail and reached even terms with National Treasure a quarter of a mile from home. Arcangelo stormed home in the stretch to win the final leg of the Triple Crown in 2:29.23.
“I had to move a little bit early to secure my spot, after that he did it himself,” said Castellano. “Turning for home, the way he finished, amazing. Very proud of the horse.”
The Belmont Stakes was the only Grade I race in New York to elude the four-time Eclipse Award winner as Outstanding Jockey. Castellano ended another career drought five weeks earlier when he won the Kentucky Derby aboard Mage, who did not contest the Belmont Stakes. Castellano became the first jockey to win Triple Crown races on different horses in the same year since Calvin Borel did it in 2009.
“Thrilled and happy the way everything unfolded this year,” said Castellano. “Win the Kentucky Derby and now win the Belmont Stakes, those two big Triple Crown races have been missing in my career. Not anymore.”
Other contenders for Jockey of the Week included Tyler Gaffalione who won the G1 Acorn and G1 Jaipur, Jose L Ortiz who won the G1 New York, Irad Ortiz, Jr. with five stakes victories including the G1 Just a Game and G1 Manhattan, and Joel Rosario who won two graded stakes including the G1 Ogden Phipps.
