Tipsheet: 2022 Jerome Stakes

A well-matched field of eight sophomores will travel one mile on the Aqueduct dirt in Saturday’s $150,000 Jerome S. The 2022 Road to the Kentucky Derby challenge series test will reward the top four finishers with qualifying points (10-4-2-1) towards the Run for the Roses at Churchill Downs.

Jerome Stakes Picks

• #1 Cooke Creek
• #8 Hagler
• #7 Mr Jefferson
• #6 Courvoisier

Jerome Stakes Wagers

• $15 win and place 1
• $10 exacta box 1-8
• 50-cent superfecta 1, 8 with 1, 6, 7, 8 with 1, 6, 7, 8 with all

Jerome Stakes Contenders

#1 COOKE CREEK was a clear second behind a fine prospect in Rockefeller in the Nashua S. (G3) last out for trainer Jerry O’Dwyer. The stakes-winning Uncle Mo colt is well drawn on the rail and rates a big chance with even minor improvement on Saturday. Manny Franco retains the mount.

#2 UNBRIDLED BOMBER has shown improvement with each career try to date for trainer Jim Ryerson. The recent maiden winner has to get faster to compete in this spot, but a top-four finish is not out of the question with Dylan Davis up.

#3 OHTWOOHTHREEFIVE tries the main strip for the first time following six tries on the green for trainer George Weaver. The Union Rags colt is obviously very talented, and if he takes to the surface change he will be a major factor inside the final furlong. The stakes-placed bay will have Kendrick Carmouche in the silks once again.

#4 RUMBLE STRIP RON owns a pair of stakes placings with Ohio-bred foes and moves from the claiming ranks to this stakes spot for trainer Anthony Quartarolo. The $50,000 son of Klimt has good current form and is a winner at the trip, but he will need a big step forward to upset this cast.

#5 SMARTEN UP looked the part in his third assignment when dominating maiden special weight runners at Parx for trainer Alfredo Velazquez. The chestnut son of American Freedom has trained well in advance of his stakes bow, and could make the frame with a well-timed ride from Anthony Salgado.

#6 COURVOISIER brought $600,000 as a weanling and made good in his fourth try on this surface for Kelly Breen. The Tapit colt has never been worse than third in his career and the distance will be no problem for the well-bred youngster. Jose Ortiz riding adds to his appeal.

#7 MR JEFFERSON ran into a strong top pair of Mo Donegal and Zandon when a distant fourth in the Remsen S. (G2) at this venue most recently. The Mike Trombetta pupil is two-for-three on the dirt overall, and he has shown some improvement since adding blinkers two back as well. The Constitution colt is a top-three player with his best showing.

#8 HAGLER has won two races in succession and could be the one to catch on this occasion under Jorge Vargas. The Rudy Rodriguez trainee draws outside and has the gate presence to be prompting the issue early on while making his stakes debut. The son of Tapiture is an obvious win candidate against this group.