The quest for the 152nd Kentucky Derby officially intensifies this weekend at Aqueduct Racetrack. The 2026 Jerome Stakes serves as a vital proving ground for three-year-olds looking to secure their spot on the Triple Crown trail. While the field remains compact with five confirmed runners, the quality of these sophomores suggests a tactical battle that will keep bettors on their toes. This one-turn mile event awards 21 qualifying points, distributed on a 10-5-3-2-1 basis.
Owners and trainers covet these points as they represent the first major New York hurdle in the journey toward the first Saturday in May. Every contender in this lineup brings a unique resume to the starting gate, ranging from proven stakes winners to ascending maiden graduates. Fans should pay close attention to the Jerome Stakes odds as they fluctuate leading up to the Saturday post time.
Aqueduct’s winter meet often unearths diamonds in the rough that thrive in the cold, brisk conditions of Ozone Park. The 2026 edition of the Jerome features a fascinating dynamic between Mid-Atlantic shippers and local New York mainstays. We see representation from powerhouse barns like Brad Cox and emerging leaders like Brittany Russell.
The short field size does not necessarily simplify the handicapping process. In fact, small fields often lead to paceless races where a single tactical decision by a jockey determines the outcome. Understanding the "Big A" surface is crucial for anyone engaging in Jerome Stakes betting this weekend. The track often develops a bias toward horses positioned near the rail or capable of sustaining a long, grinding run on the outside.
Enforced Agenda enters the 2026 Jerome Stakes as a horse with immense upside and a "now" feel for trainer George Weaver. This gray or roan son of Liam's Map made a massive splash in his debut at Aqueduct on November 23, 2025. During that one-mile maiden special weight, he tracked a legitimate pace before pulling away to win by a comfortable length. He earned a respectable 81 Beyer Speed Figure in that effort, suggesting he belongs in stakes company. His pedigree screams distance, and his ability to handle the Aqueduct surface on the first time of asking provides a significant home-field advantage.
Trainer George Weaver has a knack for developing late-blooming three-year-olds, and he places his trust in world-class jockey Flavien Prat for this assignment. Prat’s presence in the irons signals intent from the St. Elias Stable ownership group.
In 2025, Enforced Agenda completed his juvenile season with a perfect one-for-one record and earnings of $46,750. He comes into this race with a string of sharp morning workouts at Belmont Park, including a brisk four-furlong breeze in 49.96 seconds on December 24.
With Jerome Stakes odds currently sitting at 9/2, he offers substantial value for those looking to beat the favorites. He draws the rail position, which requires Prat to be aggressive early to avoid getting pinned behind a wall of horses. If you want to bet on Jerome Stakes prospects with high ceilings, Enforced Agenda fits the profile perfectly.
Freedom's Echo represents the underdog story in this year’s Jerome Stakes. Conditioned by Guadalupe Preciado, this bay colt by Independence Hall arrives in New York following a dominant performance at Parx Racing. On December 2, 2025, he pulverized a maiden claiming field by 11 lengths, stopping the clock in a time that translated to an 85 speed rating. While he steps up significantly in class today, that margin of victory cannot be ignored. He showed a high cruising speed that afternoon, a trait that often carries over well to the one-turn mile configuration at Aqueduct.
Dexter Haddock travels with the colt to take the mount, maintaining a partnership that has already proven successful. Freedom's Echo finished his 2025 campaign with one win in two starts, earning $19,610. The primary question for bettors is whether he can replicate his Parx brilliance against the elite competition found in the New York stakes program. His morning line of 8/1 makes him the longest shot on the board, but his front-running style could make him a dangerous "catch me if you can" threat if the other jockeys concede the lead. When considering your Jerome Stakes betting strategy, remember that longshots often thrive in these early-season prep races when the favorites are still finding their fitness.
Brad Cox brings one of his top East Coast prospects to the table in My World, the 7/5 morning line favorite. This son of Essential Quality has done everything right so far, winning two of his three 2025 starts. His crowning achievement last season was a 3 1/2-length victory in the Nashua Stakes at Aqueduct. He demonstrated a professional "stalk and pounce" style that day, showing he does not need the lead to be effective. Cox has dominated the New York winter circuit in recent years, and My World looks like the next star in his deep stable of Derby hopefuls.
Jaime Rodriguez takes the reins for the Jerome, a jockey who has been riding with immense confidence across the Mid-Atlantic and New York tracks. My World’s career earnings of $135,250 reflect his status as the class of the field. He consistently posts speed figures in the high 80s, providing a floor of performance that is difficult for his rivals to match. He has remained active in the mornings, showing he is ready for the rigors of a three-year-old campaign. The Jerome Stakes odds reflect his dominance, and he will likely be the "anchor" for many multi-race wagers on the Saturday card. If you are looking to bet on Jerome Stakes winners, the road clearly goes through this Robert LaPenta and Madaket Stables runner.
Balboa enters the Jerome as the most battle-tested horse in the lineup. Formerly trained by Bob Baffert in California, he moved to Brittany Russell's barn late in 2025 and immediately made an impact. He won the James F. Lewis III Stakes at Laurel Park before finishing a gritty third in the Grade 2 Remsen Stakes at Aqueduct on December 6. In the Remsen, he led into the final turn of the 1 1/8-mile race before being overtaken by Paladin and Renegade. The cutback to a one-turn mile should be precisely what this son of Not This Time needs to find the winner's circle again.
Manny Franco, arguably the king of the Aqueduct winter meet, picks up the mount for Russell. This jockey-trainer combination has been lethal lately, and Balboa’s tactical speed allows Franco to sit exactly where he wants. With 2025 earnings of $159,600 and a career-best 94 speed rating from the Remsen, Balboa holds a distinct experience advantage over his peers. He sits at 8/5 on the morning line, making him the co-choice for those engaged in Jerome Stakes betting. His 2025 record of two wins and two thirds from six starts highlights his consistency. He has the speed to press the lead and the stamina to hold off the closers, making him a formidable foe for My World.
Rounding out the field is Mailata, a Pennsylvania-bred runner who has been nothing short of sensational for trainer Robert "Butch" Reid Jr. This colt by Maximus Mischief possesses elite early speed, which he used to win the Pennsylvania Nursery Stakes at Parx by 3 1/2 lengths in November 2025. He also owns a wire-to-wire win at the one-mile distance, proving he can carry his speed around a turn. While there was some speculation about him scratching to run at Parx earlier in the week, his entry here suggests the connections are ready to test the Derby waters.
Mychel Sanchez, a regular for the Reid barn, retains the mount. Mailata boasts the highest speed figure in the field (a 95 earned in his nursery win), which makes his 4/1 Jerome Stakes odds look very attractive. In 2025, he secured two wins from four starts and earned $114,500. He draws the outside post in this five-horse field, which is actually an ideal spot. Sanchez can watch the break and decide whether to send him to the lead or sit just outside the other speed horses. Mailata represents the "fast" horse in the race, and if he clears the field early, he might never look back. When you bet on Jerome Stakes action, ignore the PA-bred tag; this horse has the motor to compete with anyone in New York.
The 2026 Jerome Stakes presents a classic confrontation of styles. You have the raw speed of Mailata and Freedom's Echo, the tactical brilliance of My World and Balboa, and the "dark horse" potential of Enforced Agenda. For those looking to maximize their returns, a cold exacta featuring Balboa and My World might be the most logical play, but the value lies in Enforced Agenda at 9/2. The 10 Kentucky Derby points awarded to the winner will drastically change the landscape of the leaderboard as we head into February.
Monitoring the track conditions on Saturday morning is essential. If the Aqueduct surface is playing fast, give the edge to Mailata. However, if the track is tiring or "heavy," Balboa and My World's stamina will likely prevail. Regardless of your preference, the Jerome Stakes odds provide plenty of opportunities to find a winning edge. This race is just the beginning of a long and winding road to Churchill Downs, and the horse that wins today will immediately become a household name in the racing world.
With a compact but talented field, the 2026 Jerome Stakes is a race where precision matters more than volume. Since Mailata (#5) is a likely scratch after racing earlier this week at Parx, we are looking at a tactical four-horse field. This requires a strategy that focuses on high-probability combinations and cold exactas.
This ticket assumes the two most experienced horses will battle it out in the stretch. Balboa's cutback to a one-turn mile makes him a formidable force.
If you believe Flavien Prat can work magic from the rail with Enforced Agenda, this box covers you if the favorite falters.
In a small field, the trifecta payouts can be thin, so we play a "cold" straight ticket to maximize the return.
If you prefer to keep it simple and just want to bet on Jerome Stakes winners directly:
There is no better way to start the new year than by hitting a winner in a Kentucky Derby prep race. The Jerome Stakes offers a perfect entry point for both seasoned handicappers and casual fans. By staying tuned to US Racing, you gain access to exclusive insights, real-time odds updates, and the most comprehensive betting platforms in the industry. The 2026 season promises to be one of the most exciting in recent memory, and the Jerome is the spark that ignites the flame. Don't miss your chance to be part of the action at the Big A this Saturday.
The writing team at US Racing is comprised of both full-time and part-time contributors with expertise in various aspects of the Sport of Kings.
