Promising cast chasing Kentucky Derby points in one-mile Jerome
OZONE PARK, N.Y. – While the Jerome Stakes hasn’t had a history of producing top Kentucky Derby prospects, three of the race’s last four winners – Firenze Fire, Mind Control and Independence Hall – did go on to become multiple graded stakes winners.
Saturday’s 152nd Jerome at Aqueduct drew a field of eight 3-year-olds, some with the pedigree and talent to suggest they could join that list. Whether they turn out to be Kentucky Derby contenders is something that likely won’t be known until later on.
Cooke Creek brings the best résumé into the $150,000 Jerome, a one-turn mile race that is one of four races on this circuit that offers qualifying points to the May 7 Kentucky Derby. The top four finishers earn Derby points (10-4-2-1).
Cooke Creek, a son of Uncle Mo owned by the Cheyenne Stable of Everett Dobson and trained by Jeremiah O’Dwyer, won his first two starts at Delaware Park before running second to the Bob Baffert-trained Rockefeller in the Grade 3 Nashua, also a one-turn mile, at Belmont Park on Nov. 7. Rockefeller is entered in Saturday’s Sham Stakes at Santa Anita.
In the Nashua, Cooke Creek stalked the pace from fifth, made a four-wide move into second at the quarter pole, and was turned aside by Rockefeller. Cooke Creek was beaten 2 3/4 lengths and finished that same margin ahead of third-place finisher Judge Davis. While it appeared that Cooke Creek was lugging in a bit in the stretch, O’Dwyer believes it was just the colt’s immaturity showing itself.
“It did look like that a little bit, but I think it’s more greenness,” O’Dwyer said. “He needs a bit more race experience. He’s a big, immature horse. In his works, he’s straight and true. You have to help him along a little bit and keep him into the bridle.”
O’Dwyer was not thrilled with the rail draw for Cooke Creek, but is hopeful there is some speed in the race to allow Manny Franco to settle the colt and come with a run. Cooke Creek did handle a sealed track with moisture in it when he won the Rocky Run Stakes at Delaware Park, so the prospect of a sealed, wet track Saturday doesn’t worry O’Dwyer.
Courvoisier is the horse with the best pedigree in the Jerome. A son of Tapit out of the multiple Grade 1-winning mare Take Charge Brandi, Courvoisier took four races to get his first win, something he did going 1 1/8 miles here on Dec. 2. Kelly Breen, who trains Courvoisier for Hill ‘n’ Dale Equine Holdings and James Spry, believes Courvoisier will be better around two turns, but would benefit from having another race before the $250,000 Withers here on Feb. 5.
Breen said the Jerome “might be a little bit short for him.”
“He’s a big, gangly horse who is still learning,” Breen said. “It looks like to me every race that he’s run he’s gotten a little bit better.”
Unbridled Bomber overcame a slow start to win a one-mile maiden race at Belmont on Nov. 7, a race that was 0.83 seconds slower than the Nashua run later on the card. Unbridled Bomber missed the Remsen due to a respiratory issue, but trainer Jim Ryerson feels the horse is ready to run. Unbridled Bomber had a history of lugging in, but Ryerson changed equipment before his last race and the colt ran straight.
“His last start he had two things his way: he got a good pace and he was on the rail and didn’t try to lug in,” Ryerson said.
Mr Jefferson finished fourth in the Grade 2 Remsen behind Mo Donegal and Zandon. He shows a solid work tab at Fair Hill for Michael Trombetta, who won this race in 2020 with Independence Hall.
Hagler, coming off a first-level allowance win on Dec. 16, could be the main speed. Ohtwoohthreefive, trying dirt for the first time, Rumble Strip Ron, and Smarten Up complete the field.