Aqueduct: Jerome may be Stirred Up's stepping-stone to Preakness

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – The nationwide tour of Bob Baffert’s 3-year-olds hits New York Saturday when the Hall of Fame trainer sends out both Stirred Up and Brigand in the Grade 2, $200,000 Jerome Stakes at Aqueduct.

A field of seven was entered for the Jerome, a one-turn mile at Aqueduct that is now run on the calendar where the Withers used to be run. None of the horses in the field has the necessary graded earnings to make it into the Kentucky Derby field, but Baffert said Wednesday that should Stirred Up run well he could be considered for the Preakness on May 19.

[JEROME STAKES: Download PPs for the full Saturday Aqueduct race card]

Stirred Up is a son of Lemon Drop Kid and is a half-sister to Hot Summer, who won the Grade 3 Comely – a one-turn mile – at Aqueduct last year. Stirred Up finished third to Baffert’s top Kentucky Derby prospect Bodemeister in a maiden race at Santa Anita in February before winning a maiden race at Santa Anita on March 3. In his most recent start, Stirred Up finished third in the Grade 3 Sunland Derby.

“He’s a horse that’s going to get better with age,” said Baffert, who trains Stirred Up for Robert La Penta. “We were hoping to win the Sunland Derby with him. I want to get a race into him and maybe this will be a stepping-stone to the Preakness or the Belmont.”

Martin Garcia will be in from California to ride Stirred Up from post 3.

Brigand is a New York-bred son of Flatter who has not won since taking his career debut going 5 1/2 furlongs at Hollywood Park last July 3. In his most recent start, he finished second in a seven-furlong first-level allowance race in his dirt debut at Santa Anita. He did not wear blinkers that day, but will get them back on for Saturday.

“I thought I’d give him a chance to go a mile,” Baffert said. “I thought he ran a pretty good race last time. I think he’ll improve off that.”

Corey Nakatani will ride Brigand from post 2.

The Lumber Guy, who finished fifth in the Wood Memorial on April 7, wheels back on short rest and will break from the fence under Mike Luzzi. The Lumber Guy blew out three furlongs in 38.60 seconds Wednesday morning over the Belmont training track.

Right to Vote, third in last year’s Champagne at Belmont, makes his second start of the year in this spot. Alex Solis rides from post 5.

Others entered include Dan and Sheila, Adirondack King, and Term Loan.

Jerome S. (G2), Post Time: 5:13 ET Saturday

Purse: $200,000; 1 mile

Post	Horse	Trainer	Jockey	ML Odds
	The Lumber Guy	M. Hushion	M. Luzzi	5-2
	Brigand	B. Baffert	C. Nakatani	4-1
	Stirred Up	B. Baffert	M. Garcia	2-1
	Dan and Sheila	T. Pletcher	R. Napravnik	12-1
	Right To Vote	E. Harty	A. Solis	5-1
	Adirondack King	J. Servis	K. Carmouche	12-1
	Term Loan	R. Violette	A. Garcia	8-1