Girolamo wins first stakes, takes Belmont’s Jerome Handicap

Girolamo wins Belmont’s Jerome Handicap

NEW YORK — Girolamo, a late-developing 3-year-old, beat Burley’s Gold by 1¼ lengths Sunday in the $150,000 Jerome Handicap at Belmont Park.

A perfect 3 for 3 this season, Girolamo earned his first stakes victory with a gutsy effort. Quickly overcoming an awkward start, Girolamo settled into a perfect stalking trip with Alan Garcia aboard. He blew past Kensei, a multiple stakes winner, in the stretch for his fourth victory in six career starts.

Trained by Saeed bin Suroor, Girolamo ran the one mile in 1:33.81 on the fast track. The 4-5 favorite, Girolamo paid $3.60, $2.80 and $2.10. Burley’s Gold returned $4.30 and $2.10. Kensei faded to third, paying $2.10

Denver was fourth followed by Pitched Perfectly.