Jena Antonucci
The First Female Trainer to Win a Triple Crown Race
In 2023, after winning the Peter Pan Stakes (Gr. 3) at Belmont Park, Arcangelo won the Belmont Stakes (Gr. 1), making Jena Antonucci the first female trainer in history to win a Triple Crown race.
Arcangelo then went on to win the Travers Stakes (Gr. 1), making Jena the second female in history to win the Travers in its 154-year history.
Closing out Arcangelo’s storied racing career, at th 53rd Annual Eclipse Awards, he was awarded 2023 Champion Three-Year-Old Male Horse.
Where It All Began: A Natural Bond and a Curious Mind
“I didn’t pick them; they picked me. For that, I’m grateful.”
Seemingly born with the passion, Jena Antonucci had her first equine exposure quite young at three years old where she started her equestrian journey focusing on hunters, jumpers, and equitation.
She spent a lot of time in her teens retraining green retired thoroughbreds having no idea where it would lead later in life. This experience led to the curiosity to ask the question of how thoroughbreds are initially trained and developed.
Deeper Understanding of the Horse, From the Ground Up
Driven by a hunger to learn, Jena began working with young Thoroughbreds at Padua Stables as part of a respected development and training program. What started as a temporary detour from the show horse world quickly evolved into a lasting passion—the Thoroughbred industry captured her heart, and the rest is becoming history.
Jena later expanded her hands-on knowledge by working as an equine veterinary assistant for several years, gaining critical insight into horse health, care, and best practices. That foundation continues to influence her horsemanship and approach today.
Where Passion Turned Professional
Jena opened Bella Inizio Farm in 2008, initially focusing on reproductive work, young horses, and rehabilitating racehorses.
With her competitive side looking to be more fulfilled, she set off on her public training career earning her 1st win on March 7, 2010 at Tampa Bay Downs. Jena continues her winning racing program today across the country.
“The answer is already within each horse…it’s up to us to listen”
A Voice for the Industry, A Champion for the Horse
Jena was awarded with the 2023 Big Sport of Turfdom Award by the Turf Publicists of America, presented to individuals that enhance coverage of Thoroughbred racing through cooperation with media and racing publicists.
In 2024, Jena was voted by her peers to represent them on the board of New York Thoroughbred Horseman’s Association (NYTHA). NYTHA recognizes that its constituents are the lifeblood of the racing industry in New York and focuses its efforts on doing what is best for New York horses and horsemen. Jena also sits on the NYJICF (New York Jockey Injury Compensation Fund) Board.
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Minority and Women-Owned
In July 2022, Jena Antonucci and Katie Miranda launched horseOlogy, a minority and women-owned full-cycle thoroughbred training and ownership organization based in Ocala, Florida. horseOlogy handles everything related to thoroughbred breeding, training, and racing. They offer bloodstock advising, pinhooking, small-share partnerships, and more.
They are a serious team that wants to bring humor and enjoyment back into the sport of horseracing to make it relatable to the next generation of enthusiasts while respecting the long-steeped traditions.
Meeting the Needs of Retiring Horses
horseOlogy Encore, a 501c3 non-profit, was established by Jena and Katie in 2023 to meet the needs of retiring horses. Whether looking for a permanent pasture home or the ever-important support of transitioning to their next career, horseOlogy Encore is now available to existing and new clients.
Brand Ambassador
Purina Animal Nutrition
#FeedGreatness
Purina has been leading the industry with innovation since 1894, and its purpose has never changed. It has always been driven to unlock every animal’s greatest potential. Over the last 125 years, Purnina’s ideas and research-backed nutritional solutions have modernized the way animals are fed.
dac® Vitamins and Minerals
Since 1983 Direct Action Co., Inc. (a.k.a. dac® Vitamins and Minerals) has offered superior, innovative equine and livestock supplements. dac® is a founding member of the National Animal Supplement Council (NASC) and was one of the first companies to earn the coveted NASC Quality Seal.
Spectra Animal Health
Spectra Animal Health was established in 1991. For 12 years, Spectra’s primary function was to produce, market and distribute MEGA-SEL®, a patented liquid Selenium and Vitamin E supplement for horses. Today, MEGA-SEL® is the #1 equine nutritional supplement for sore muscles in the U.S.
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I keep an open-door policy for owners. I continue to build a successful team with a family environment, which is the foundation for my growth. This allows me to maintain a consistent string of horses no matter where the team is racing.
