Trombetta hopes Mr Jefferson declares himself worthy of Derby consideration in Jerome Stakes
OZONE PARK, N.Y. – On New Year’s Day 2020, trainer Michael Trombetta won the Jerome Stakes at Aqueduct with a 3-year-old son of Constitution named Independence Hall. On New Year’s Day 2022, Trombetta try to pen some more Jerome history in the 152nd running of the race with another 3-year-old son of Constitution, named Mr Jefferson.
While Independence Hall was an overwhelming favorite the day he won the Jerome, Mr Jefferson looks to be one of many contenders in the $150,000 Jerome, a one-turn mile race that drew a field of eight. The Jerome offers its top four finishers qualifying points (10-4-2-1) toward the May 7 Kentucky Derby, but has rarely been a harbinger for Derby success.
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Mr Jefferson, a Maryland homebred owned and bred by Larry Johnson, is coming out of a fourth-place finish in the Grade 2 Remsen on Dec. 5, when he finished 10 lengths behind Mo Donegal and Zandon, who were noses apart at the wire. Trombetta felt Mr Jefferson ran “quietly a pretty good race” at odds of 26-1 considering he was wide around both turns under Kendrick Carmouche. At the top of the stretch, he was right there.
“There was no pace and he was forced to move early, was wide, and still hung in there pretty good all things considered,” Trombetta said. “He didn’t get much respect in the race from an odds standpoint, but I thought showed up and deserves another try.”
Prior to the Remsen, Mr Jefferson won a first-level allowance race at Laurel on Nov. 4, overcoming a little trouble at the start to rally along the inside and win going away. His last two races have come with the addition of blinkers.
Mr Jefferson has followed up his Remsen effort with a solid work tab at the Fair Hill training center in Maryland.
Mychel Sanchez rides Mr Jefferson from post 7.
Cooke Creek, runner-up in the Nashua at Belmont on Nov. 7, could go favored in the Jerome. He drew the rail and will be ridden by Manny Franco. In post order, he will be joined in the starting gate by Unbridled Bomber, Ohtwoohthreefive, Rumble Strip Ron, Smarten Up, Courvoisier, Mr Jefferson, and Hagler.