Regalo will cut back for Jerome

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Though he has already won around two turns, Regalo will cut back to a one-turn mile when he starts in the $150,000 Jerome Stakes on Jan. 6 at Aqueduct.

The Jerome is the first of four races for 3-year-olds on this circuit to be run between January and April that offer qualifying points to the May 4 Kentucky Derby.

Regalo, a son of Maximus Mischief trained by Brittany Russell, won a seven-furlong maiden race in his second career start on Oct. 26 at Laurel and then came back to win a 1 1/16-mile first-level allowance race by 4 1/2 lengths on Dec. 9.

Russell said the schedule is what dictates her cutting Regalo back in distance to kick off his 3-year-old campaign.

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“This time of year, as far as allowance races you go, you win the a-other-than, what sort of options do you have?” Russell said. “As far as shipping goes and timing goes, this is the best one.”

The Jerome is expected to come up a short field when entries close Monday. In addition to Regalo, confirmed runners are Drum Roll Please and Guanare. Possible starters include Dune Road, El Grande O, and Deposition.

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