2014 Jerome Stakes; Looking for a Full Moon Rising

2014 Jerome Stakes; Looking for a Full Moon Rising

The 2014 Jerome Stakes is a (GII) race ran at one mile 70 yards on the dirt at Aqueduct Racetrack in New York for 3 year-olds with a purse of $200,000 and is a “Road to the Kentucky Derby” prep-season qualifying race with the winner receiving 10 points towards qualifying for the Kentucky Derby. It also serves as the first of three races building to the (G1) $1 million Wood Memorial on April 5th. Following the Jerome, Aqueduct will host the (GIII) $250,000 Withers on February 1st and the (GIII) $500,000 Gotham on March 1.

The Jerome is the second oldest stakes race in the country and is named after Leonard W. Jerome, the founder of the old Jerome Park Racetrack in The Bronx, a predecessor to Belmont Park. Mr. Jerome was the grandfather of The Right Honourable Sir Winston Churchill.

On September 3, 1960, the great Kelso was ridden for the first time by Eddie Arcaro. In 1875, Aristides, the winner of the inaugural Kentucky Derby, won this race. In 1878, Duke of Magenta came home first. It’s also been won by Fair Play in 1908, Bold Ruler in 1957, Carry Back in 1961, and Richter Scale in 1997.

The Jerome was first run at Jerome Park from 1866-1889, then at Morris Park Racecourse until 1905, at Belmont Park from 1906-1959 and 1968-2009, and also at Aqueduct Racetrack in 1960, from 1962-1967 and in 2011. There was no race run from 1910 to 1913 and there were two divisions from 1866 to 1870. Since inception it has been contested at a variety of distances.

The speed record is held by Noble Nashua set in 1981 at 1:33.20 and the most wins by a jockey are by Eddie Arcaro with 6. The 2013 winner was the Rudy Rodriguez trained Vyjack who went on to make the Kentucky Derby field for 2013.

This years’ 144th edition of the Jerome Handicap takes place this Saturday, January 4, 2014 and is the 8th race on the race on the card and is set to post at 3:48 pm EST.

There are eight sophomores lined up to start Saturday and I like the two Malibu Moon babies in this race, Noble Moon and Lawmaker.

The Leah Gyarmati trained Noble Moon was recently scratched from the Remsen Stakes on November 30, 2013, where he was the third choice on the morning line, after having an allergic reaction the night before the race, breaking out in hives and had to be treated. He hasn’t missed a work since. He recently breezed one mile in 1:45.22 on December 28th over the Belmont dirt. Noble Moon won his debut race going 6F on September 14th at Belmont by 3/4 of a length before making a six-wide rally from 12th coming in third, loosing by three lengths in the (GII), one mile Nashua on November 3rd at Aqueduct, which was won by Cairo Prince. Noble Moon gets the services of C.Ortiz and gets post #1.

The other son of Malibu Moon/Saratoga Cat Lawmaker, who is trained by Chad Brown, recently broke his maiden going one mile at Laurel. He made up three lengths in the stretch to win by one length where he broke well, sat in the 3 path to close with a bang in his first time out. He has been regularly training at Palm Meadows and recently worked 4f in 49.50 27/54 on December 28th. Lawmaker gets J. Ortiz in the irons and breaks from post #3.

Another boy I like in here is the Horse Greely/Varus/Vicar son Scotland who is trained by Tony Dutrow. He is winless in two starts, but finished second both times, missing by a head going 6F on October 30th at Laurel and by 2 1/4 lengths going 7F on November 30th on this track. He is looking for that break-through win here and could be a serious contender breaking from post #2 with David Cohen up to ride.

Lawmaker is my pick to win the 2013 Jerome Stakes. I like his maiden win and Chad Brown has been on fire lately. From a wagering stand-point Noble Moon & Scotland are looking to be the morning line favorites that will take a lot of money. I’m not too sure with the odds on Noble Moon and the #1 post if I would bet him. He has a pedigree that screams distance/stamina. He broke his maiden wiring the field in a hammerlock hold and what an incredible combination. I’ve had him in my virtual stable for a while and he could make some serious noise here but I may just have to watch. If I bet, I’ll put my money on Lawmaker, the other Malibu Moon son for the win here if the odds look good. Scotland is scary in this race and could get his first win here. So for my top horses, I’m going with #3 with #1 & #2 in no particular order and may the best boy win! Good luck and safe run to all of the colts and their connections.

Post Positions & Odds for the 2014 Jerome Handicap
1. Noble Moon 6/5 C.Ortiz, Jr./L.Gyarmati
2. Scotland 7/2 D.Cohen/W.Dutrow
3. Lawmaker 8/1 J.Ortiz/C.Brown
4. Pin and Win 30/1 A.Castellano, Jr./J.Lostritto
5. Matuszak 15/1 R.Maragh/W.Mott
6. Mental Iceberg 20/1 A.Arroyo/G.DiPrima
7. Classic Giacnroll 5/1 A.Solis/L.Guerrero
8. Master Lightning 6/1 C.Velasquez/T.Pletcher
SEE UPDATED RESULTS