OZONE PARK, N.Y. -  Before Ny Traffic became a staple in Kentucky Derby prep races for trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. last year, he was a nondescript New York-bred running at Parx Racing for trainer Harold Wyner. Wyner, who bought Ny Traffic for $27,000, advised owners John Fanelli and Leonard Liberto to send the horse to Florida and was glad he did after COVID-19 hit, shutting down racing operations at Parx and New York beginning in March. “I told Mr. Fanelli then that [Ny Traffic] is a Derby horse and I think this horse is a Derby horse too,” said Wyner, who has 24 horses based at Parx. “This horse” is Capo Kane, a California-bred who may have taken his first steps on the Triple Crown trail Friday at Aqueduct with a front-running, 6 1/4-length victory in the $150,000 Jerome Stakes for 3-year-olds at Aqueduct. Wyner, who purchased the son of 2007 Kentucky Derby winner Street Sense for $26,000 for Liberto and Tony Como’s Bing Cherry Racing, won’t be parting ways with Capo Kane. :: KENTUCKY DERBY 2021: Point standings, prep schedule, news, and more “I’m keeping this one,” Wyner said. Aqueduct on the first Friday in January is a long way from Churchill Downs on the first Saturday in May. However, Capo Kane validate his 4 1/2-length maiden score at Parx on Nov. 29 and did win without racing on the anti-bleeding medication Lasix, which he ran on in his first two starts at Parx. Beginning in 2021, most jurisdictions - including New York - are banning Lasix in stakes races. “Usually I put all my 2-year-olds on it just in case,” Wyner said. “I work him without Lasix and he never bled. I knew he’d be okay.” Forwardly placed runners seemed to have an advantage Friday over an Aqueduct main track labeled muddy, but was harrowed. Wyner knew his horse had speed and instructed jockey Dylan Davis not to take it away from the horse if he broke well. Capo Kane, breaking from the rail, was able to make the front without much difficulty. He maintained a half-length advantage over 7-5 favorite Swill through a quarter in 23.53 seconds, a half-mile in 47.83, and six furlongs in 1:12.62. Turning for home, Capo Kane drifted out some but he was well clear of his rivals. Ultimately, Capo Kane drifted out four paths but was still an easy winner. Eagle Orb finished second by 2 3/4 lengths over Hold the Salsa, who nosed out Swill for third. Original was last in the five-horse field. Capo Kane covered the mile in 1:38.02 and returned $15.80 to win. :: Want to get your Past Performances for free? Click to learn more. “He broke sharp for me and I was able to take the lead very comfortably,” Davis said. “He responded great all the way to the wire and I was very happy with the way he did it.” The Jerome was the first stakes win for Wyner, who had previously run in 30 stakes races. Wyner said Capo Kane had drifted out a touch in his maiden victory. He said the horse could probably benefit from blinkers, but “obviously, I can’t put them on off a win. He keeps winning so I can’t put them on.” The victory earned Capo Kane 10 qualifying points toward the Kentucky Derby under the system Churchill Downs uses in the event the race draws more than 20 entrants. Last month, the Mid-Atlantic-based Brooklyn Strong earned 10 points winning the Grade 2 Remsen Stakes. Those horses could meet in the Grade 3, $250,000 Withers Stakes at Aqueduct on Feb. 6. “Parx is a good track to train on; it’s deep, it gets a horse legged up and fit and when they come to a little harder racetrack they just skip over the track,” Wyner said.