Mihos may run in Mucho Macho Man

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Mihos, who overcame a wide trip to win his maiden by 1 3/4 lengths at Aqueduct on Nov. 24, will stretch out in distance for his next start, which could come in the $100,000 Mucho Macho Man Stakes at Gulfstream Park on Jan. 5.

The Mucho Macho Man is run as a one-turn mile race.

Mihos, a son of Cairo Prince, finished third to Vekoma at Belmont in his debut. Vekoma came back to win the Nashua Stakes at Aqueduct on Nov. 4.

In his next start, Mihos won a six-furlong maiden race after racing four wide for a good part of the trip. He earned an 80 Beyer Speed Figure.

“It looked like he reacted to the dirt more than he did the first time at Belmont,” trainer Jimmy Jerkens said. “It stung him a little more than at Belmont.”

On Wednesday, Mihos worked four furlongs in 51.10 seconds over the Belmont Park training track. Jerkens said Mihos is scheduled to ship to Gulfstream on Dec. 12.

Direct Order eyes Jerome

Direct Order, a winner of two straight sprints, will likely stretch out to a one-turn mile in the $150,000 Jerome here on New Year’s Day, trainer Jason Servis said.

Direct Order, coincidentally a son of New Year’s Day, won a six-furlong maiden race at Parx in October and a first-level allowance, also at six furlongs, at Aqueduct on Nov. 29.

“I think he’ll run all day,” Servis said. “There isn’t going to be a two-other-than [for 3-year-olds], so we’ll probably give that a shot.”

Servis won the 2018 Jerome with Firenze Fire.