If the Kentucky Derby (G1) doesn't work out for Cyclone State, there's always the Cigar Mile Handicap (G2).
The first of four 2025 Run for Roses preps at Aqueduct Racetrack turned into a lopsided rout as Al Gold's Gold Square, George Messina, and Michael Lee's Cyclone State clobbered six 3-year-old rivals to take the Jan. 4 $150,000 Jerome Stakes in his third straight victory at the Big A, all at a one-turn mile distance.
"He certainly likes this track and the distance," trainer Chad Summers said.
But, before we forget, the Jerome is all about a race on the first Saturday in May rather than the first Saturday in December.
Which serves as a reminder that the victory netted the Iowa-bred son of McKinzie 10 qualifying points toward a start in the Kentucky Derby as a well as a trip to the warmer climes of Florida while the connections mull the colt's next step on the Triple Crown trail.
"Everything is open. The beautiful thing about this is that it allows you to become a handicapper," said Summers, who plans to send Cyclone State to Palm Meadows following the colt's successful stakes debut. "We're going to watch the other 3-year-old stakes today. We'll keep on paying attention but we are not going to commit to anything now. We'll enjoy this. Having a nice 3-year-old is great. It gets you excited when you get out of the bed in the morning, and I am thankful to the owners for giving a small stable like ours a chance with a horse like this."
On paper, there appeared to be an abundance of early speed, but when the starting gates opened, only 46-1 shot Enduring Spirit and Cyclone State with jockey Luis Rivera Jr. showed any interest in it. The pair dueled through an opening quarter-mile in :23.43 as Cyclone State pulled clear before the top of the turn.
On the turn, favored Studlydoright (9-5) and second choice Ican (5-2) took aim at the leader, but Cyclone State easily fended them off and drew away in decisive fashion.
All alone at the top of the stretch after six furlongs in 1:13.20, Cyclone State ($8.10) led by a whopping eight lengths with a furlong to go and cruised under the wire 3 1/2 lengths in front of a closing Omaha Omaha in 1:40.82 over a fast-rated surface that played rather slow on the day.
The victory came on the heels of mile maiden and allowance optional claimer victories at Aqueduct by a 3-year-old who was also second in a mile maiden race at the Big A and was making his seventh career start.
Bred by H. Allen Poindexter out of the Dominus mare Chanel's Legacy, he was a Book 4 purchase for $70,000 out of the Wynnstay Sales consignment at the 2023 Keeneland September Yearling Sale by agent Joe Hardoon on behalf of the owners. The victory pushed his earnings to $208,250.
"We thought the McKinzie yearlings were athletic and would be two-turn horses, so we weren't discouraged when he didn't break his maiden right away. We always felt he would get better with more distance and we're excited by that," Summers said.
Omaha Omaha, a son of Audible trained by Michael Gorham, was second after breaking slowly and running last for the opening half-mile. He picked up five qualifying points. Ican (Preservationist) was another 3 1/4 lengths back in third and received three points.
"I thought he ran great. He's crying for more ground. This was pretty much our only option locally, so we gave it a go and he showed he belongs. Maybe we'll come back in a month for the Withers (Feb. 1 at Aqueduct)," Gorham said. "He won on a pretty slow track at Laurel Park. I don't think that was really a factor. I was hoping there would be a good speed duel and most of them did tire but (Cyclone State) kept on running. It set up good for him and I think he ran his race. He just ran out of ground."
McAfee, the morning-line favorite and a half brother to 2024 Horse of the Year favorite Thorpedo Anna, was scratched.
