Out the fastest and never giving his rivals a chance, Cyclone State (c, 3, McKinzie–Chanel's Legacy, by Dominus) picked up an easy 10 points on the Road to the Kentucky Derby with an eye-catching gate-to-wire win in the Jerome Stakes.
Sent to the lead early under Luis Rivera, Jr. despite acting up in the gate, the 3-1 shot never seemed anything but a winner as he posted fractions of :23.43, :47.25, and 1:13.20 as he coasted into the lane with an eight-length advantage. Kept to business as Omaha Omaha (Audible) slowly cut into the margin, it was too much too late, and Cyclone State came in 3 1/2 lengths best. Ican (Preservationist) got the best of the photo for third.
The victor came into this contest on a two-race win streak which started Nov. 3 over this track when he graduated from the maiden ranks in his fifth try by 2 1/2 lengths. His margin over optional claimers last out Dec. 6 was a similar margin, but with Ican claiming runner-up honors there.
“He's just a special horse. He's a horse we've always been high on,” said winning trainer Chad Summers. “He reared up a little bit at the start, but we've learned with him. Nobody goes in the gate with him–he's got a little bit of a funny mouth, he doesn't like that.”
“Luis Rivera has worked with him a lot, getting on him in the morning and in the afternoon. He just continues to get better. Obviously, a deep, tiring, heavy track today. The rail didn't look like it was that great. We wanted to get off the rail but kind of got stuck there.”
CYCLONE STATE makes it three in a row with a win in the Jerome Stakes! 🌪️ @jockeylriverajr was in the irons for trainer @horsesummers, earning 10 points toward the @KentuckyDerby. pic.twitter.com/oGwXx3LtgF
— NYRA (🗽) (@TheNYRA) January 4, 2025
Cyclone State's connections have some discussions in their future as the GIII Withers Stakes with Kentucky Derby qualifying points runs Feb. 1, and the one-turn mile G3 Saudi Derby at King Abdulaziz Racecourse runs Feb. 22 with their horse nominated to the latter.
“He's nominated to Saudi. The '[nominations]' come out on the eighth and I think this will get us an invitation. There's a lot of things to take into consideration at this point. We're going to get him down to Florida [for now].”
“We'll re-group [at Palm Meadows] and gather ourselves and see where we're at. It's a good position to be in with 10 points, but obviously you need at least 40 to go where you want to go. We'll evaluate the options and make the best plan. Obviously, he likes Aqueduct and we're not going to be afraid to ship back up here.”
Cyclone State is the second offspring for Chanel's Legacy to gain black-type behind SP Zatara (Audible), who was visiting the winner's circle at Oaklawn Park after the sixth race Saturday not long after his younger brother claimed Kentucky Derby points. Their dam, herself a staple at Hot Springs during her career as she contested the Kentucky Oaks trail on the circuit, has a 2-year-old filly by Blame and a yearling colt by Volatile in the wings. She is due to McKinzie for a full-sibling this year.
JEROME S., $150,000, Aqueduct, 1-4, 3yo, 1m, 1:40.82, ft.
1–CYCLONE STATE, 120, c, 3, by McKinzie
1st Dam: Chanel's Legacy (MSW & GSP, $413,144), by Dominus
2nd Dam: Chanel Number Mine, by Value Plus
3rd Dam: Ruthie the Rocket, by Confide
($70,000 Ylg '23 KEESEP). 1ST BLACK TYPE WIN. O-Gold Square LLC, George Messina, and Michael Lee; B-H. Allen Poindexter (IA); T-Chad Summers; J-Luis R. Rivera, Jr.. $82,500. Lifetime Record: 7-3-1-0, $208,250.
2–Omaha Omaha, 120, c, 3, Audible–England Swings, by Kitten's Joy. 1ST BLACK TYPE. O-Nathan J. Nelson, Gary T. Carlson, and Shawn M. Sullivan; B-On Your Left Racing, LLC (VA); T-Michael E. Gorham. $30,000.
3–Ican, 118, c, 3, Preservationist–We Love Lucy, by Majesticperfection. ($12,000 Ylg '23 KEEJAN; $22,000 Ylg '23 KEESEP; $72,000 2yo '24 OBSAPR). 1ST BLACK TYPE. O-FMQ Stables; B-Jack Miller (KY); T-Richard E. Dutrow, Jr.. $18,000.
Margins: 3HF, 3 1/4, HD. Odds: 3.05, 7.30, 2.85.
Also Ran: Studlydoright, Mansetti, Georgia Magic, Enduring Spirit. Scratched: McAfee.
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