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Home / Race of the Day / Aqueduct / Aqueduct: Road to the Derby back on track with Jerome

Aqueduct: Road to the Derby back on track with Jerome

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A field of eight will go postward in the $150,000 Jerome Stakes as racing on the Road to the Kentucky Derby gets back on track at Aqueduct after the ‘bomb cyclone‘ cancelled thoroughbred action in New York last week.

Given the weather the East Coast had to endure, it’s understandable that track conditions for the Jerome will be less than ideal for the horses looking to pickup points towards a spot in the starting in Louisville on May 5.

The Jerome is one of three 2018 Kentucky Derby Prep Races scheduled for this weekend in America. The other two are the Lecomte at Fair Grounds for three-year-old derby hopefuls going 1 mile 70 yards for a purse of $200,000. And on Monday, Oaklawn Park will run the $150,000 Smarty Jones Stakes for three year olds at 1 mile.

Jerome Stakes Field, Odds & Analysis

  1. Coltandmississippi – At 6 to 1, this guy looks like the obvious choice to try and upset the field for Pletcher. He’ll wear blinkers for the first time and gets a new rider in McCarthy who’s riding 33% winners when teaming up with future HOF trainer. He drew the rail and will have to prove himself over the muddy surface despite a losing effort as the favorite last time out over a sloppy Gulfstream strip.
  2. Seven Trumpets – 3 to 1 for Romans off back to back wins in last two at Churchill. Must extend his talents another 1 1/2 furlongs over an unfamiliar surface, but has the best LRB (last race Beyer) 79, in the field. Albarado was aboard last two times but he’ll stay south to ride in the Lecomte at Fair Grounds. New rider Lopez should have this guy in contention from the start but his 0 for 2 in 2017-18 for trainer.
  3. Regalian – 20 to 1 despite a winning effort last time out here at the distance for maiden claiming $50,000. Tough to win right back after maiden victory, hence the price.
  4. Factor This – 12 to 1 and another who just broke maiden here at the distance in a MSW. Son of The Factor was sent out on turf 5 times before the move to dirt to get the win and if this was a AlwNW2XL, he would probably roll home a winner. Big step up and has a shot to show he belongs.
  5. Smooth B – 30 to 1