My World best in four-horse Jerome

My World made it 2-for-2 in stakes company over Aqueduct's one-turn mile with a two-length knockout of odds-on favorite Balboa in the $139,500 Jerome S. on Saturday.

Victorious by 3 1/2 lengths in the Nashua S. on Nov. 1, My World started as the 2.62-1 third choice in the Jerome, which was reduced to a field of four after Mailata was withdrawn after winning a stakes at Parx earlier in the week. Balboa was strongly favored off a decisive score in the James F. Lewis III S. at Laurel going six furlongs, but simply proved unable to go the Jerome distance.

Inheriting the lead on the far turn from outsider Freedom's Echo, Balboa held a one-length advantage over My World after seven furlongs, but the final eighth of a mile worked to the advantage of My World, whose stamina was too much for Balboa.

"This horse is still figuring things out," said Dustin Dugas, assistant to trainer Brad Cox. "With each race, he's maturing mentally but it's still like he's not completely there. You'll see every time he comes by a horse; he'll still want to lean in. It's just some greenness on his end, but talented, nonetheless. Once he got past that horse, he ran on and kept a straight course."

My World, under Jaime Rodriguez, finished up in a pedestrian 1:38.96 over a fast track and paid $7.24. Balboa had 3 3/4 lengths on Enforced Agenda, while Freedom's Echo trailed home 16 3/4 lengths farther back.

My World, who races for Madaket Stables and Robert LaPenta, has won three of four starts. Third on debut at Saratoga last summer, he has since won three straight at Aqueduct, beginning with a neck win over maidens going six furlongs. Despite his next-out win in the Nashua, maturity issues dictated more time before the Jerome.

"We skipped the Remsen (G2) for this one to give him more time," Dugas said. "He's a smaller horse and the other race was a mile and an eighth, so this gives him another mile race under his belt and then maybe we can step forward with some more distance. He's really improving — mentally more so than anything."

A son of dual champion Essential Quality, My World was produced by the multiple stakes-winning Quebec, a daughter of Into Mischief. Bred by Cove Springs in Kentucky, he sold for $350,000 at Keeneland September.

My World earned 10 qualifying points toward the Kentucky Derby (G1), while Balboa increased his point total from four points to nine points. Enforced Agenda secured three points and Freedom's Echo two points.

Dazzling Dame lived up to her moniker in the $145,500 Busanda S. for three-year-old fillies. Pulling away from 2-1 favorite Believable on the far turn, Dazzling Dame opened up down the lane to score by 11 1/2 lengths under Jevian Toledo.

The field behind her was similarly strung out. Two Bits overtook Believable for second by 11 1/4 lengths. Believable wound up third, 7 1/2 lengths ahead of Midnite Ginny, who had more two lengths on Britain.

Owned by Respect the Valleys and trained by Brittany Russell, Dazzling Dame covered one mile in 1:38.30 and paid $6.24. The Busanda was Dazzling Dame's third stakes win over a mile, following the Sorority S. at Monmouth last August and the White Clay Creek S. at Delaware Park in October.

Dazzling Dame earned 20 qualifying points toward the Kentucky Oaks (G1), and now has a total of 22 after securing two points in the Sept. 13 Pocahontas (G3). Two Bits earned 10 points, Believable six points, Midnite Ginny four points, and Britain two points.

A winner in four of five starts, Dazzling Dame is by Girvin and out of the stakes-placed Awesome Dama, by Corinthian. Bred in Maryland by Maria Haire, she last sold for $40,000 as an OBS juvenile.