Happy New Year! Be careful with your celebrations tonight because there is a whole lot to look forward to in the fresh new year. Racing fans, get ready to be thrilled by the brand new 3 year-olds! When the clock strikes midnight on New Year’s Eve, all of the Northern Hemisphere Thoroughbreds celebrate the same birthday, each aging 1 year. These upcoming 3 year-olds are full of budding talent and well on their way down “The Road to the Kentucky Derby.”
2018 will boast a fabulous 144th running of the world famous $2 million dollar Grade 1, Kentucky Derby. One-third (15 of 45) designated races on the KY Derby trail have already taken place. These races award the points required to determine the 20 top ranking contenders. The first designated race was held 9/16/17. On New Year’s day, as the Thoroughbreds mark their third birthday, the Jerome will take place.
The 152th running of the Jerome will be held at Aqueduct. This race predates the existence of the KY Derby. The KY Derby first raced in 1875 with Aristides as its initial winner. Notably, Aristides won the Jerome that same year. However, the Jerome was inaugurated in 1866 and Watson was its first winner.
Preceding the Jerome, the top 10 contenders on the KY Derby leaderboard are as follows by horse/point total:
- Good Magic/24
- Bolt d’Oro/14
- Solomini/14
- Enticed/12
- Firenze Fire/10
- Free Drop Billy/10
- Greyvitos/10
- Catholic Boy/10
- The Tabulator/10
- McKinzie/10
Each of the designated KY Derby prep races has awarded 10 points to the winner, 4 points for 2nd place, 2 points for the 3rd place finish and 1 point to the horse in 4th place. The Jerome will use this same point scale. There was one exception so far, the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile awarded 20-8-4-2 and as the road continues there will be some variability in points.
Aqueduct racetrack is located in New York City and dates back to 1894. On Monday, 1/1/18, weather permitting, the Jerome will take place in the 7th race on a card of 8. It is very cold in New York right now and on 12/30/17 some Aqueduct races were cancelled due to the temperature. I’m hoping they can race safely with the 1st race posting at 12:20 P.M. EST and the 8th posing at 4:07 P.M. EST. The Jerome should start at 3:34 P.M EST. The Jerome is a dirt race of 1 mile (8 furlongs) for 3 year-old Thoroughbreds.
8 Thoroughbreds are entered by post/horse/jockey/trainer/owner/morning-line odds:
- Honor Up/Junior Alvarado/William I. Mott/Saratoga Seven Racing Partnership/6-1
- Diamond King/Frankie Pennington/Robert E. Reid, Jr./Cash is King LLC. and LC racing/7-2
- Regalian/Luis R Reyes/Chris J. Englehart/Island Wind Racing/15-1
- Old Time Revival/Paco Lopez/Kenneth Decker/Fred J. Brei/10-1
- Firenze Fire/Irad Ortiz, Jr./Jason Servis/Mr. Amore Stable/1-1
- Smooth B/Joseph Rocco, Jr./Robert E. Reid, Jr,/LC Racing/20-1
- Seven Trumpets/Robby Albarado/Dale L. Romans/West Point Thoroughbreds/4-1
- Millionaire Runner/Nicky Figueroa/Jaime Mejia/Jaime Mejia/30-1
This race should be an exceptional match-up and will alter the KY Derby leaderboard. With two thirds of the races to go it is still anybody’s dream. As I look forward to the KY Derby I also fantasize about warmer weather. My home, Kentucky, is so much nicer in May than December and January. I could use more roses and less icicles. Cheers to all for 2018, may it bring you all of your comforts and dreams. Check back for another year of frequent postings.
Update: Aqueduct will postpone the Jerome due to cold weather. Live racing has been cancelled 12/30 and 1/1.
Girolamo won the Jerome in 2009
Share This: