Road to the 2013 Kentucky Derby: Grade 3 Sham Stakes and Grade 2 Jerome Stakes Review

2013 Sham Stakes Review

The 2013 Road to the Kentucky Derby kicked off with the Grade 3 Sham Stakes at Santa Anita Park. Off at odds of 2/5 Goldencents did what a heavy favorite is supposed to do: Win. At a payoff of $2.80, Goldencents won by 1 1/2 lengths over Den's Legacy with Manando finishing 3rd. Rounding out the field of 5 was Dry Summer and Dirty Swagg. Greeley Awesome scratched prior to the race.

Stalking the pace set by Manando, Goldencents sat in 2nd until the stretch where he went by Manando under urging of jockey Kevin Krigger. Goldencents covered the 1 Mile trip in 1:36.50. Den's Legacy sat 3rd on the rail throughout and got up in the final yards to finish 2nd ahead of Manando. The 2013 Sham Stakes can been seen below via Bloodhorse.

2013 Sham Stakes

Notes:

- Goldencents received a 93 Beyer Speed Figure for his Sham Stakes win. 2012 Sham Stakes winner Out of Bounds received a 99 Beyer.

- Goldencents had $184,410 bet on him of the $221,760 in the Show pool, accounting for 83% of the pool.

2013 Jerome Stakes Review

Shortly after the Sham Stakes was completed, the Grade 2 Jerome Stakes went off at Aqueduct. Once again, the favorite prevailed but this time only by a head. At even money Vyjack rallied for the victory in deep stretch to pay $4.30. Longshot Siete de Oros missed out on a huge upset at odds of 41-1. Finishing the trifecta was another longshot Amerigo Vespucci at odds of 39-1.

The undefeated Vyjack sat 2nd on the rail behind Mudflats after 1/4 mile. Jockey Cornelio Velazquez decided to take matters into his own hands and went to the lead. Coming to the top of the stretch, Vyjack swung wide leaving the rail open for the aforementioned Siete de Oros. Halfway down the stretch, Siete de Oros looked like he was going to pull away for the win, but Vyjack rallied and wore down Siete de Oros for the victory.

Vyjack covered the 1 Mile and 70 yards distance in 1:40.67. Rounding out the field of 8 in order was Long River, Vegas No Show, Notacatbutallama, Mudflats, and James Jingle. The Jerome Stakes is linked below via Bloodhorse.

2013 Jerome Stakes

Notes:

- The 2012 Jerome Stakes was held on April 21, two weeks before the Kentucky Derby. That race was a 1 turn mile held on Aqueduct's Main Track. The 2013 edition was a 2 turn, 1 Mile and 70 yards race on the Inner Dirt.

- Vyjack was making his first start around 2 turns. He earned a Beyer of 90 for his victory. Last year's winner of the Jerome was The Lumber Guy, who earned a 96 Beyer.

What does this mean in regards to the Kentucky Derby?

To be honest, these 2 events do not mean much. With 17 weeks (yes 17 weeks) until the Kentucky Derby a lot can and will change. Vyjack has room for improvement as the Jerome Stakes was his first start around 2 turns. The best thing to take away from Vyjack is that he showed a lot of heart in the stretch of the Jerome Stakes. He appeared to be beaten twice and still won. As for Goldencents, he did what he was expected to and that was to win the Sham Stakes.

I expect both of these horses to take some money when in the 1st wagering pool of the 2013 Kentucky Derby Future Wager that is to be held from February 8 to 10. Horses that win the Prep Races take a lot of money and whether that is right or wrong is up to you. That's why we have pari-mutuel wagering.