The field for the $150,000 Jerome includes: Illusioned (Edgar Prado, 117); Scorpion (Jerry Bailey, 118); Burning Roma (Rick Wilson, 120); Express Tour (John Velazquez, 115); and Hero's Tribute (Jorge Chavez, 117).
When the call to the post is played prior to the grade II $150,000 Jerome Handicap at Belmont Park Saturday five horses with an extra week of rest will take the gate The Jerome was originally to be contest Sept. 15 but the New York Racing Association cancelled racing due to the terrorists attacks on the World Trade Centers Sept. 11. The Jerome was the only race to be rescheduled. The grade II Belmont Breeders' Cup Handicap and the grade I Ruffian Handicap were suspended for the year. Harold Queen's Burning Roma is the likely favorite in the one-mile Jerome. The son of Rubiano will face four talented rivals, including grade I Jim Dandy winner Scorpion.Burning Roma won three straight races in the Mid Atlantic before running a close third to Point Given and Touch Tone in the Haskell Invitational (gr. I) Aug. 2 at Monmouth Park.