Jerome Stakes Handicapping Picks
Horse racing gamblers are you looking for 2020 Jerome Stakes Free Pick & Handicapping Odds…plus some predictions? Need some advice on who to take? The 2020 Jerome Stakes is set for Wednesday at Aqueduct Racetrack in New York City, New York. Here’s a preview of our top contenders.
Jerome Stakes Preview and Prediction
- Race: Jerome Stakes
- Purse: $150,000
- Track: Aqueduct Racetrack
- Date: January 1
- Post Time: 3:55 p.m. (ET)
- Live: 2020 Jerome Stakes Odds: Click Here
2020 Jerome Stakes Handicapping
Traditionally the first big stakes race of the New Year, the one-mile Jerome Stakes also carries significance as the first race in 2020 to offer up qualifying points for the Kentucky Derby. The Jerome has drawn a field of seven three-year-old colts and geldings that will be racing for the win and Kentucky Derby qualifying points on a 10-4-2-1 scale.
Here then are four horses I’ll consider on a betting slip.
With Derby points up for grabs it’s not a surprise the race has drawn a mixed-bag of hopefuls, most looking for a breakout performance that will set them up for the big KD qualifying races to come, where the point totals available increase dramatically. That being said, there a huge favorite in the race who appears to be head-and-shoulders above the rest.
Odds listed here are from Bovada’s racebook.
2020 Jerome Stakes Free Pick & Handicapping: Independence Hall Race Odds: 1-5
Already with two wins in two starts in his young career, Independence Hall comes into the Jerome off a 12 1/4 length romp in the (G3) Nashua Stakes over the same track and at the distance. He also managed a 104 Equibase speed figure in that race, well beyond what any others in this field have managed.
Prior to the Jerome he won his lifetime debut by 4 3/4 lengths at Parx Racing going seven furlongs.
Trained by Michael Trombetta, he’ll be ridden on Wednesday by Jose Ortiz.
2020 Jerome Stakes Free Pick & Handicapping: Celtic Striker Race Odds: 14-1
Speedy front-runner Celtic Striker scored his maiden win in his second lifetime start, going wire-to-wire and showing some fight when challenged in the stretch to pull away for a 1 1/2 length victory. He may have caught a break racing in front on a sloppy track that day, but he showed improvement off his career debut. A similar move forward should put him in the picture here.
He’s trained by Raymond Handal, with Manuel Franco getting the call to ride.
2020 Jerome Stakes Free Pick & Handicapping: Bourbon Bay Race Odds: 15-2
Promising New York-bred Bourbon Bay is another that picked up his first career win last out in his second career start, clocking the second-highest Equibase speed figure in this race on his way to a 2 1/4 length win. He seems to want to come from off the pace, and so his best chance is for Celtic Striker and Independence Hall to set quick fractions early giving him a chance to rally in the stretch and grab a piece of the money.
Mark Henning trains, Jose Lezcano will be in the saddle.
2020 Jerome Stakes Free Pick & Handicapping: Prince Of Pharoahs Race Odds: 8-1
Another New York-bred, Prince Of Pharoahs was sired by 2015 Triple Crown winner American Pharoah. While it’s still early in his racing career, there’s nothing to indicate he’ll ever reach the success of his exalted father. He did get a win his last out going one mile on the Belmont Park dirt, but seems to lack the speed of the other contenders here.
Linda Rice is the trainer of record, Kendrick Carmouche will be the rider.
Here’s my 2020 Jerome Stakes Free Pick.
Coming in off his dominating performance in the Nashua on the same track and at the same distance, it’s difficult to make a case against Independence Hall for the win. In could be argued that he didn’t face very tough competition in that race, but it can also be argued the field for the Jerome isn’t much better. If he can pull off another win like he did back in November, he stamps himself as a serious Derby hopeful going forward.
With little win value in the odds, I’ll play him on top in a straight exacta with Celtic Striker.
Full Field: 2020 Jerome Stakes Odds
- Independence Hall 1-5
- Bourbon Boy 15-2
- Prince Of Pharoahs 8-1
- Celtic Striker 14-1
- Inside Risk 25-1
- Dubai Bobby 33-1
- Polar Bear Pete 50-1
What do you think of our 2020 Jerome Stakes Race Odds & Predictions? Weigh in below with a comment. We welcome your feedback.
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