Capo Kane Wires Jerome

OZONE PARK, NY – Bing Cherry Racing and Leonard Liberto’s Capo Kane took the field gate to wire with a strong performance to win Friday’s $150,000 Jerome Stakes at Aqueduct.

Capo Kane broke from the rail under Dylan Davis as the 6/1 fourth choice in the field of five freshly-turned-3-year-old males.

The 7/5 favorite Swill tracked between Capo Kane and the 9/5 second choice Eagle Orb through opening fractions of :23.53, :47.83, and 1:12.62.

Capo Kane began pulling away in the far turn and Davis took a peek back near the top of the stretch, then gave the Harold Wyner trainee the green light.

Though he drifted out once he changed leads, Capo Kane corrected course and drew off down the middle of the lane, crossing 6 1/4 lengths clear while completing the muddy one-turn dirt mile event in 1:38.02.

“He broke sharp for me and I was able to take the lead very comfortably,” Davis said. “He responded great all the way to the wire and I was very happy with the way he did it. He galloped out well. It was a very comfortable win and he handled the track real well.”

Eagle Orb was 2 3/4 lengths clear of a photo for third that went to Hold the Salsa by a nose over Swill.

Original dropped anchor in the far turn before being eased across the wire to complete the order of finish.

The Jerome is part of the Road to the 2021 Kentucky Derby prep race season. Capo Kane earned 10 points for the win, with Eagle Orb receiving 4 for second, Hold the Salsa 2 for third, and Swill 1 for fourth.

Capo Kane’s win was his second straight following a gate-to-wire fast dirt route score at Parx and a runner-up effort in a 7-furlong debut over a wet fast surface. The California-bred Street Sense colt, purchased for $26,000 last May, has now bankrolled $114,500.

“I’d like to thank the owners for giving me the opportunity to train this horse and having faith in me,” Wyner said.“The goal was to do what Dylan wanted. I said to Dylan, ‘If he breaks good, just leave him alone, take a long hold, and let him get in his stride and take the race as you find it.’ He found himself on the lead and Dylan rode a fantastic race. Last time, he drifted out a little bit at the head of the lane at Parx, but that was because he switched his lead early. He’s still a little green.”

Capo Kane returned $15.80 to win, $6.60 to place, and $3.70 to show. Eagle Orb brought back $3.60 to place and $2.70 to show, while Hold the Salsa paid $3.70 to show.