Jerome Stakes
| Non-Graded Stakes race | |
| Location | Aqueduct Racetrack Queens, New York, United States |
|---|---|
| Inaugurated | 1866 |
| Race type | Thoroughbred – Flat racing |
| Website | www |
| Race information | |
| Distance | 1 mile 70 yards |
| Surface | Dirt |
| Track | left-handed |
| Qualification | Three-year-olds |
| Weight | Assigned |
| Purse | US$150,000 added (2017) |
The Jerome Stakes is a Listed stakes race for thoroughbred horses run each January at one mile 70 yards on the inner dirt track at Aqueduct Racetrack. It is open to three-year-olds and currently carries a purse of $150,000.
The race is a Road to the Kentucky Derby Prep Season qualifying race. The winner receives 10 points toward qualifying for the Kentucky Derby.
The Jerome is the second oldest stakes race in the country and in 2021 will be in its 151st running. Named after Leonard W. Jerome, the founder of the old Jerome Park Racetrack in The Bronx, a predecessor to Belmont Park... Mr. Jerome was the grandfather of The Right Honourable Sir Winston Churchill, KG, OM, CH, TD, FRS, etc.
On September 3, 1960, the great Kelso was ridden for the first time by Eddie Arcaro. In 1875, Aristides, the winner of the inaugural Kentucky Derby, won this race. In 1878, Duke of Magenta came home first. It's also been won by Fair Play in 1908, Bold Ruler in 1957, Carry Back in 1961, and Richter Scale in 1997.
Fitz Herbert, trained by the great Sam Hildreth, won this race on his way to the title of Horse of the Year in 1909 and in 1910.
The Jerome was first run at Jerome Park from 1866 to 1889, then at Morris Park Racecourse until 1905, at Belmont Park from 1906 to 1959 and 1968 to 2009, and also at Aqueduct Racetrack in 1960, from 1962 to 1967 and in 2011. There was no race run from 1910 to 1913 and there were two divisions from 1866 to 1870. Since inception it has been contested at a variety of distances:
- 2 miles: 1871–1877
- 1+3⁄4 miles: 1878–1889
- 1+5⁄16 miles: 1890–1891, 1903
- 1+1⁄2 miles: 1892
- 1+1⁄4 miles: 1893–1894, 1896–1909
- 1 mile, 1 furlong: 1895
In 1905, Bedouin set a new world record of 2:10.60 for a mile and five sixteenths on dirt in winning the Jerome Handicap at Belmont Park.
Records
Speed record: (at distance of one mile)
- 1:33.20 – Noble Nashua (1981)
Most wins by a jockey:
- 6 – Eddie Arcaro (1946, 1950, 1955, 1957, 1958, 1960)
Most wins by an owner:
- 4 – Harry Payne Whitney (1906, 1907, 1921, 1926)
- 4 – Joseph E. Widener (1927, 1930, 1933, 1940)