Jerome Not a Stretch for Flexibility

The likely favorite is New York-bred Flexibility, who broke his maiden at first asking in state-bred company and then added strong runner-up efforts going two turns in open company in the Nashua and Remsen stakes (both gr. II). Flexibility should be able to assume his usual stalking position behind a couple of speed horses here and pounce late.

 

Pennsylvania-bred Bird of Trey has had his own way against state-breds, breaking his maiden by 11 lengths and then taking the Pennsylvania Nursery Stakes by 7 1/4 lengths. His races against open company have produced three on-the-board finishes, but he will have to prove he can make the jump from Parx Racing to New York and handle two turns for the first time.

 

King Kranz presents an interesting option. Although still a maiden after five starts, he was good enough to run second in the Futurity Stakes (gr. II) at Belmont Park in October. He has finished second or third in his last four outings but has yet to travel two turns. Condo King defeated King Kranz by a neck last out to break his maiden at Aqueduct and has hit the board in his three starts, all in sprints.

 

Donegal Moon has tried to take his fields wire-to-wire in his last two starts. He succeeded when breaking his maiden at Keeneland in October going a flat mile, but he couldn't hold on in the Remsen, faltering to fifth, seven lengths in back of Flexibility. He has run four two-turn races in a row and could get brave on the lead here.Silent Assassin might give Donegal Moon pace pressure from his rail post. He tries dirt for the first time after three efforts on the grass, the last resulting in a maiden claiming score going a mile at Aqueduct. He has shown speed in his last two starts.

 

Vorticity has won two of his three races, most recently scoring in the Marylander Stakes at Laurel Park. He has won at Aqueduct, having broken his maiden there going seven furlongs, and he has flashed early speed and is bred to stretch out. In Equality and Let Me Go First are both last-out maiden winners. In Equality scored going two turns at the Big A on the inner track after a pair of mediocre turf tries. He should be coming from off the pace. Let Me Go First won by daylight last out at the Jerome distance at Parx and should be placed forwardly. He is co-owned by Kendall Hansen, who campaigned champion Hansen.