NEWS
Girolamo surges to impressive Jerome score
Posted: Sunday, October 11, 2009 4:46 PM
GIROLAMO
Adam Coglianese/NYRA photo
To view a video replay of the Jerome Handicap, click here.
by Mike Curry
Girolamo wore down multiple Grade 2 winner Kensei and surged clear to win the $147,000 Jerome Handicap (G2) on Sunday at Belmont Park as the 4-to-5 favorite under Alan Garcia.
The three-year-old A.P. Indy colt improved to three wins in as many starts this season for trainer Saeed bin Suroor and owner Godolphin Stable. Girolamo won an allowance race by four lengths on August 9 at Saratoga Race Course and entered off a 5 1/4-length romp in an optional claiming race on September 13 at Belmont Park.
Despite breaking awkwardly in the Jerome, Girolamo recovered to stalk the pace from third under Garcia. He moved up on the turn when Kensei drove past pacesetter Pitched Perfectly to take command. Kensei and Girolamo swept into the lane in tandem, setting up a spirited duel in early stretch, but the winner wore down his game opponent and held off a late bid from Burley’s Gold to prevail by 1 1/4 lengths.
The pace was a little fast and my horse didn't break that quickly like I thought he would. But, I was very comfortable, relaxing and my horse was very comfortable,” Garcia said. “I only had to hit him a couple of times in the stretch and after that I knew I had the race won. I stopped riding and let him do it on his own. He's a very nice horse.”
Girolamo completed one mile in 1:33.81 to improve to four wins in six starts and boost his earnings to $201,300 with his first stakes victory. He is out of the Grade 3-winning Mr. Prospector mare Get Lucky, dam of Grade 2 winner Daydreaming and graded stakes winner and sire Accelerator, full siblings to Girolamo.
Girolamo could be pointed to the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (G1) on November 7 at the Oak Tree at Santa Anita Park meeting or the Hill ‘n’ Dale Cigar Mile Handicap (G1) on November 28 at Aqueduct.
"I haven't spoken to [trainer] Saeed [bin Suroor]. There are a lot of ways to go," said Rick Mettee, assistant to Suroor.
As a two-year-old, Girolamo won his debut before finishing fourth in the Futurity Stakes (G1) and sixth in the Champagne Stakes (G1). After the Champagne, Girolamo was given a freshening and returned on August 9 for the allowance race at Saratoga.
Burley’s Gold overhauled Dwyer (G2) and Jim Dandy (G2) Stakes winner Kensei in the final furlong and finished 2 3/4 lengths clear of that foe for second.
For an Equibase chart, click here.
Mike Curry is a Thoroughbred Times TODAY editor
