Free Jerome Stakes Past Performances (2019)
The 2019 running of the Jerome Stakes for 3YO Kentucky Derby hopefuls is the lone race on the Road to the Kentucky Derby this New Year’s Day.
A small field of six, headed by slight favorite Mind Control, will go to the post at 3:47 PM ET for race eight on the nine race card at Aqueduct on day one of 2019.
1 Direct Order – On a two-race win streak for trainer Jason Servis. With a win over the surface in his last start, he’ll be asked to go beyond his six furlong experience for the first time. DO NOT IGNORE
2 Family Biz – Added Lasix to break out of the maiden ranks in last at Aqueduct. Additional furlong should not be an issue for closing type.
3 Mind Control – Won the G1 Hopeful two back before trying the BC Juvenile to no avail. The cutback to 1 mile with Johnny V., who was aboard in the Hopeful, makes him the deserved favorite at 9-5 but without a race over the track and a trainer who is 6% with runners laid up for a month or more could make for an upset. Use caution.
4 Our Braintrust – Will be making his second start off a six month layoff. In typical son of Freud fashion, his two wins came in short sprints and can’t see how he’ll do anything but make the speed go faster. And that might be good for an upset. Morning line is set at what I call the “any kind line” (8-1). But, if he wins, well it’ll be par for the course for the Jerome winner on the Kentucky Derby trail.
5 Gates of Dawn – From the barn of the other brother Servis, John, comes this son of Arch who found himself in the second spot behind Direct Order in the ‘official order’ of finish at Parx two races back. Like the fact that he returned next out to win.
6 Souper Jackpot – At 2-1, all systems are go for this Ghostzapper sophomore who couldn’t parlay his front-running victory in a six furlong maiden sprint at Churchill two-back into a two-race win streak, and had to settle for second at Gulfstream in last. Cuts back from the 1 mile effort and gets top jock Alvarado for Casse. Should be competitive throughout.
