The primary Highway to the Kentucky Derby Offered by Woodford Reserve qualifier of 2025 is Saturday’s $150,000 Jerome Stakes at Aqueduct, value 10-5-3-2-1 factors to the highest 5 finishers.
The Jerome is a historic race relationship again to 1866. For a time, it was a late summer season contest carrying Grade 1 status. The roster of winners consists of racing legends Daring Ruler, Coaltown, Kelso, Hill Prince, and Tom Idiot.
The Jerome was reconfigured right into a Kentucky Derby steppingstone in 2013. This yr’s version has drawn an eight-horse discipline. A few confirmed stakes winners are within the entries, however we view the up-and-coming #6 Cyclone State because the horse to beat for warm coach Chad Summers, who has saddled 4 winners from 11 starters at Aqueduct since Nov. 7. That’s a lofty 36% win price.
Cyclone State struggled in his first three begins sprinting on dust and working lengthy on turf, ending fourth, sixth, and sixth. He’s been much more profitable since stretching out for a trio of one-mile dust races at Aqueduct.
Cyclone State’s first begin over the Jerome configuration yielded a pacesetting runner-up end in a deep maiden particular weight. He was overwhelmed just one size by future Grade 2 Remsen Stakes runner-up Aviator Gui whereas ending forward of next-out maiden winner Palms of Time.
Roughly 5 weeks later, Cyclone State led from begin to end to win an an identical maiden particular weight by 2 ½ lengths. This preceded a step up at school for an $80,000 allowance non-obligatory claimer, by which Cyclone State once more led each step of the best way to prevail by 2 ¾ lengths.
Cyclone State’s two victories have yielded Brisnet Velocity rankings of 85 and 87, which rank among the many highest numbers within the Jerome discipline. His plentiful early pace is an asset, and he enters off a quick exercise touring five-eighths of a mile over the Belmont Park coaching observe. What’s to not like? Cyclone State has each likelihood to report a 3rd straight victory.
If you wish to guess the Jerome on a small funds (say, $10), a win guess on Cyclone State is a simple method with an opportunity to yield a decent payoff. However if you wish to guess extra and purpose for an even bigger rating, the exacta (choose the highest two finishers so as) and trifecta (choose the highest three finishers so as) needs to be winnable with out breaking the financial institution.
Which horses ought to we use beneath Cyclone State? Positively #7 Studlydoright. He drained to complete fourth when racing 1 1/8 miles round two turns within the Remsen, his Highway to the Kentucky Derby debut. However Studlydoright had beforehand gained the Nashua Stakes racing a one-turn mile at Aqueduct with an 88 Brisnet Velocity score.
Studlydoright has carried out admirably round one flip; his different exploits embrace a win within the Tremont Stakes (with an 89 Brisnet Velocity score) plus runner-up finishes within the Grade 3 Sanford Stakes and Laurel Futurity. Returning to a one-turn mile for the Jerome ought to put Studlydoright within the hunt for a top-two end.
#4 Omaha Omaha is one other logical contender after dominating a $62,500 allowance non-obligatory claimer at Laurel Park by seven lengths. #3 Ican warrants inclusion as properly after overcoming a stumbling begin to rally and end second to Cyclone State within the latter’s $80,000 allowance non-obligatory claiming win.
We’ll spherical out our tickets with #2 Mansetti, who’s invading from Canada. He’s but to run over a mud observe like Aqueduct, however his type over the all-weather Tapeta floor at Woodbine is sharp. He exits a gate-to-wire victory within the Clarendon Stakes dashing three-quarters of a mile and looms as a wild card whereas switching surfaces and stretching out over one mile.
Wagering Technique on a $10 Funds
$10 to win on #6 Cyclone State
What to say on the betting window: Aqueduct, eighth race, $10 to win on 6
Wagering Technique on a $30 Funds
$16 to win on #6 Cyclone State
What to say on the betting window: Aqueduct, eighth race, $10 to win on 6
$8 exacta: 6 with 7
What to say on the betting window: Aqueduct, eighth race, $8 exacta 6 with 7
$2 trifecta: 6 with 7 with 2,3,4 (whole value $6)
What to say on the betting window: Aqueduct, eighth race, $2 trifecta 6 with 7 with 2,3,4
Good luck, and benefit from the race!
