House Rules points to Acorn

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Hall of Fame trainer Allen Jerkens – who celebrated his 85th birthday Monday – is coming back to New York and bringing his talented 3-year-old filly House Rules with him.

Jerkens informed Churchill officials Monday that House Rules – beaten a neck in the Grade 2 Gulfstream Oaks – will not run in the Kentucky Oaks on May 2. Instead, House Rules will be pointed to the Grade 1, $750,000 Acorn Stakes at Belmont Park on June 7. House Rules is 1 for 6 in her career, with runner-up finishes in the Davona Dale Stakes and Gulfstream Oaks. Her win did come in a one-turn, one-mile race, the same configuration as the Acorn.

Jerkens said he likely will train House Rules up to the Acorn “unless we see something in the meantime. She works as fast as you’d want or need one to work, and she gallops strong. She should have no problem” training up to it, Jerkens said.

Jerkens, who as of Monday was still stabled at Gulfstream, said he will be returning to New York next week with 13 or 14 horses. The Belmont meet opens May 1.