The Triple Crown series, which includes the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and Belmont Stakes, is suspenseful every year. Although no one won the series, one jockey who won the Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes thanked God for helping him win.
Derby
In the Kentucky Derby, which happened on May 6th, [1]Javier Castellano rode Mage. Although the horse wasn’t a favorite, they slowly worked their way to the lead to win the race.
Preakness
On May 20th, horses, jockeys, and fans met at the Pimlico Race Course for the Preakness Stakes. John Velazquez, the jockey on National Treasure, masterfully moved the horse on the track. Barely holding off Blazing Sevens, Velazquez and National Treasure won the Preakness Stakes. [2] Mage, winner of the Kentucky Derby, finished third.
Belmont
While there was no Triple Crown contender, on June 10th, the Belmont Stakes still was an exciting race to behold. Javier Castellano, winner of the Kentucky Derby, rode Arcangelo in the Belmont. During the majority of the race, Arcangelo was near the back of the pack while the Preakness winner, National Treasure, was near the front.
About three-quarters through the race, Castellano and Arcangelo saw a gap and took it, soaring into the lead. While Arcangelo only won by 1 and 1/2 lengths, it was enough to win. [3] Arcangelo’s win makes history. Jena Antonucci, the trainer of Arcangelo, is the first female to win the Belmont Stakes. [4]
After the race, Javier Castellano thanked God for the opportunity to win the race.
First of all, I always say, thank the Lord Jesus Christ for giving me the opportunity to win a second Triple Crown, the third Triple Crown this year, second Triple Crown for myself. I give all the credit to the horse. [5]
Notes:
- ^Mage has won the Kentucky Derby, at a race meeting marred by 7 horse deaths (go back ↩)
- ^Who won the Preakness Stakes in 2023? Full results, finish order (go back ↩)
- ^Arcangelo wins 2023 Belmont Stakes in historic triumph for trainer (go back ↩)
- ^Arcangelo wins the Belmont Stakes (go back ↩)
- ^European Christian faces prison for embracing heterosexuality; Alabama, Texas, Indiana, Mississippi friendliest to religious liberty; Christian jockey thanks Jesus Christ, credits horse, for Belmont win (go back ↩)
