JEROME (G2) RECAP

Saturday, April 23, 2011

 

 

ADIOS CHARLIE WAVES GOODBYE IN JEROME

 

By Jon Forbes

 

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Adios Charlie, making his third career start and facing winners for the first time, re-rallied along the rail to win the Grade 2, $150,000 Jerome for 3-year-olds on closing day at Aqueduct Racetrack.

 

Quickest out of the gate under Rajiv Maragh, Adios Charlie pressed Cal Nation from the outside in second through splits of 23.31 and 47.12, bided his time as Justin Phillip swept to the lead turning for home, and came back along the inside in deep stretch to post a 2 ½-length triumph. Astrology nipped Justin Phillip nearing the wire to finish second.

 

“I just tried to ride my horse and I didn’t feel like it was the right time to go when Justin Phillip moved,” said Maragh. “So, I just waited a little more and then I made my stretch run and my horse had a lot left in the end. He was running well within himself all the way down the backstretch, so I felt like he was going to give me a lot in the stretch.”

 

Adios Charlie completed the one-turn mile over the sloppy main track in 1:36.81 and returned $14.60 as the fifth choice in the field of eight.

 

Winning trainer Stan Hough, who owns Adios Charlie in partnership with Robert Sahn, said he will look at several options for the colt’s start, which could come in the Grade 1 Preakness at Pimlico Race Course on May 21 or in the Grade 2 Peter Pan at Belmont Park on May 14. Adios Charlie is currently not nominated to the Triple Crown.

 

“There are a lot of options for 3-year-olds,” said Hough. “We’ll try to make the right decision. Obviously he’s got some talent and hopefully he’ll move forward.”

 

The Jerome was Adios Charlie’s second start in New York, as he had finished second on debut at Belmont Park in October. In his lone previous start as a 3-year-old, he broke his maiden by 6 ¾ lengths at Gulfstream Park on March 30. The $90,000 winner’s share of the Jerome purse boosted his career earnings to $134,040.

 

Adios Charlie, a son of Indian Charlie, was bred in Florida by Brynlynn Farms.

 

Rattlesnake Bridge completed the superfecta, and he was followed home by Isn’t He Perfect, Starship Caesar, Gallant Dreams, and favored Cal Nation.

 

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