Aqueduct Picks: Jerome Stakes (01/03/2026)

Aqueduct Picks – Race 1

Post Time: 12:10 PM ET; Maiden Claiming $42k; 1 M Dirt; Field of 7 runners.

• #4 ISLAND CHARM (4-5): Prime Win Player. Barn has been solid. Looks good based on the 75 speed rating which is among the top in the group.
• #6 ROSE LISA (3-1): Fringe Contender. Trainer is having a great meet. Looks to get a bit easier group here.
• #7 LUCIANA'S HONOR (9-2): Underneath. Pedigree fits in this spot.
• #1 RELLI'S CRUISER (30-1): Underneath. Trainer's horses have been running. Should still have enough if the reserves if there in the final furlong.

Selections: 4 – 6 – 7 – 1

The Plays

Win: #4 at 4-5

Exacta: 4 / 6,7

Pick 3 (races 1-3): #4 with #1 with #5,4,3

Aqueduct Picks – Race 2

Post Time: 12:40 PM ET; Claiming $36k; 6 F Dirt; Field of 6 runners.

Best Bet of the Card

• #1 GUNNER BAY (1-1): Best bet of the card. Lezcano puts this one in with a chance. Comes in with solid form. Bet today's best bet with industry-leading rebates on BetOnline.
• #3 FUNNY UNCLE (7-2): Contender. Trainer is having a great meet. Can run with these.
• #2 THRILL OF IT (6-1): Fringe Contender. Previous success in similar race types.
• #6 LEADING ROLE (5-1): Underneath. Race conditions fit this one well. Expect this one to be able to carry the distance.

Selections: 1 – 3 – 2 – 6

The Plays

Win: #1 at 1-1

Exacta: 1 / 3,2

Aqueduct Picks – Race 3

Post Time: 1:10 PM ET; Jerome Stakes $150k; 1 M Dirt; Field of 5 runners.

• #5 MAILATA (4-1): Top pick. Decent form of late. Favorable class relief in this spot.
• #4 BALBOA (8-5): Major Player. Demonstrated success under similar conditions. Likely to get forward position.
• #3 MY WORLD (7-5): Major Player. Barn has been sending out runners.
• #2 FREEDOM'S ECHO (8-1): Underneath. Speed figs are a bit slow, but not completely hopeless against the top of the field. Race conditions fit this one well.

Selections: 5 – 4 – 3 – 2

The Plays

Win: #5 at 9-2

Exacta: 5 / 4,3

Aqueduct Picks – Race 4

Post Time: 1:40 PM ET; Maiden Special Weight $75k; 6 F Dirt; Field of 7 runners.

• #5 ROYAL RIDDLE (2-1): Top pick. Barn has been solid. Proven competitor at this configuration.
• #1 CENTRAL SPIRIT (3-1): Major Player. Elliott puts this one in with a chance. Good race flow for this runner.
• #2 HURRICANE KAZ (5-1): Contender. Should sit a good trip. Could wear these ones down late.
• #3 DEACON BLUES (6-1): Contender. Trainer's horses have been running. Can compete from a speed figure standpoint.

Selections: 5 – 1 – 2 – 3

The Plays

Win: #5 at 5-2

Exacta: 5 / 1,2

Aqueduct Picks – Race 5

Post Time: 2:10 PM ET; Claiming $46k; 7 F Dirt; Field of 7 runners.

• #1 LOOKS FIRST (5-1): Top pick. Should be able to work out a trip. Looks good based on the 90 speed rating which is among the top in the group.
• #5 JACKSON'S DIXIE (6-1): Major Player. Rodriguez puts this one in with a chance.
• #3 CURLIN'S MAGIC (5-2): Contender. Previous success in similar race types.
• #4 MY FIRST LOVE (6-1): Contender. Race conditions fit this one well. Speed figs are a bit slow, but not completely hopeless against the top of the field.

Selections: 1 – 5 – 3 – 4

The Plays

Win: #1 at 11-2

Exacta: 1 / 5,3

Aqueduct Picks – Race 6

Post Time: 2:40 PM ET; Starter Allowance $60k; 6 1/2 F Dirt; Field of 8 runners.

• #2 UNCLE JIM (4-1): Top pick. Proven competitor at this configuration. Races competitive with the top contenders.
• #8 PAIR OF SOCKS (5-2): Major Player. Likely to get forward position. Speed figures match this group well.
• #5 SOCIAL HOUR (7-2): Major Player. Civaci and Kantarmaci team up on this one. Should sit a good trip.
• #4 SINISTER SMILE (9-2): Contender. Speed figs are a bit slow, but not completely hopeless against the top of the field. Shouldn't be disadvantaged by the flow of the race.

Selections: 2 – 8 – 5 – 4

The Plays

Win: #2 at 9-2

Exacta Box: 2 / 8 / 5

Aqueduct Picks – Race 7

Post Time: 3:10 PM ET; Busanda Stakes $150k; 1 M Dirt; Field of 6 runners.

• #5 DAZZLING DAME (5-2): Top pick. Barn has been solid. Shouldn't have trouble getting the distance.
• #6 BELIEVABLE (4-1): Major Player. Seems to be up against the right competition. Top connections on the circuit with Prat and Pletcher.
• #3 SHILLING (2-1): Major Player. Elliott puts this one in with a chance. Likely in the mix early.
• #4 TWO BITS (6-1): Major Player. Can compete from a speed figure standpoint. May be getting a weaker field than last out.

Selections: 5 – 6 – 3 – 4

The Plays

Win: #5 at 3-1

Exacta Box: 5 / 6 / 3

Aqueduct Picks – Race 8

Post Time: 3:40 PM ET; Allowance $83k; 1 M Dirt; Field of 9 runners.

• #1 BUTTAH (6-1): Top pick. Race may setup for this runner.
• #6 BERMUDA BLITZ (3-1): Major Player. Demonstrated success under similar conditions.
• #4 RUSSIAN REALM (8-1): Major Player. Previous success in similar race types.
• #5 RANGER BATTALION (5-1): Major Player. Race conditions fit this one well. Ran at this level last out.

Selections: 1 – 6 – 4 – 5

The Plays

Win: #1 at 7-1

Exacta Box: 1 / 6 / 4

Aqueduct Picks – Race 9

Post Time: 4:10 PM ET; Allowance $77k; 7 F Dirt; Field of 10 runners.

Longshot Play of the Day

• #5 ROOFER (5-1): Longshot play of the day. Barn has been solid. Comes in with solid form. Bet today's live longshot on MyBookie.
• #8 VIBRANT EXPRESS (5-2): Major Player. Looks fast enough off previous efforts. Trainer is having a great meet.
• #1 UNBROKEN CHAIN (8-1): Contender. Previous success in similar race types. May be able find the right setup.
• #2 TWOHONESTMISCHIEF (7-2): Fringe Contender. Potential to get the pace of the race flow. Prat puts this one in with a chance.

Selections: 5 – 8 – 1 – 2

The Plays

Win: #5 at 6-1

Exacta: 5 / 8,1