The 2026 Jerome Stakes will once again provide an early challenge for three-year-old Thoroughbreds aiming for the Kentucky Derby, taking place at Aqueduct Racetrack in New York in early January. This prestigious event sets the tone for the year’s Derby preps, as promising young horses test their stamina and speed over a one-mile dirt course for a lucrative purse of $150,000. The Jerome’s results carry significant importance, since qualifying points toward a Derby berth are awarded to the top finishers, making each race not only a test of ability, but also of strategic positioning along the spring racing calendar.
With its long tradition, dating back to the 19th century, the Jerome Stakes is recognized as one of North America’s oldest stakes races. Over the years, it has highlighted some of the best up-and-coming talent in the sport, and in recent times it has gained renewed attention as one of the first steps on the Road to the Kentucky Derby. The fact that the Jerome is held so early in the year means that horses and trainers targeting the Derby often use it to introduce their charges to higher-stakes competition and gauge what adjustments might be needed before the major spring prep races.
Interest in the Jerome continues to grow, thanks to Aqueduct’s commitment to strong purses and competitive entry fields. Its combination of history, Derby relevance, and a generous $150,000 purse encourages owners and trainers to send some of their brightest prospects to New York each January. As the curtain-raiser for the winter meet, the Jerome typically draws a mixture of already proven stakes runners and lightly raced maiden graduates, each hoping to kickstart a promising season and earn coveted Derby qualifying points.
The Jerome Stakes is noteworthy not only for its history and purse, but also for its crucial role on the Road to the Kentucky Derby, as it awards qualifying points to the top five finishers. In 2026, the points are allocated as follows: 10 points to the winner, 5 points for second place, 3 points for third, 2 points for fourth, and 1 point for fifth place. These points are added to each horse’s Kentucky Derby total, determining their eligibility for a spot in the Derby’s starting gate. Securing points in the Jerome is particularly valuable in such a competitive season, as only the highest-scoring horses throughout the prep series earn the coveted Derby berths, making performances in this race especially significant for connections hoping to advance to the Triple Crown trail.
2026 Jerome Stakes at the Aqueduct – Saturday, January 3rd, 2026. Race and time to be determined as it gets closer to raceday!
