My World overhauled Balboa in the stretch to win the $150,000 Jerome Stakes by two widening lengths at Aqueduct on Saturday, Jan. 3.
The victory was the second straight Stakes win for the three-year-old Essential Quality colt, who captured the Listed Nashua Stakes over the same course and distance Nov. 1. My World has now won three straight races, and the Jerome victory netted the colt 10 points on the 2026 Road to the Kentucky Derby.
Despite entering the race on a two-race winning streak, My World was not favored in the Jerome. That distinction went to Balboa, who started his career with Bob Baffert in California. Now in the barn of trainer Brittany Russell in Maryland, Balboa has blossomed, winning the James F. Lewis III Stakes and finishing second in the G2 Remsen Stakes.
Long shot Freedom's Echo set the early pace while prompted by Balboa, while slow-starting Enforced Agenda and My World tracked behind that leading pair. Into the far turn Freedom's Echo went under a ride, but Balboa soon put that one away.
He was not alone, however. My World was under a full head of steam as he rallied on the far outside, setting his sights on the favorite while gaining with every stride. Balboa briefly opened up a bit of daylight at the top of the stretch, but My World was still in pursuit, cutting into the margin in the final furlong before overhauling Balboa in the final sixteenth and going on to win.
My World was bred in Kentucky by Cove Springs, LLC, and is out of Quebec, a multiple Stakes-winning daughter of Into Mischief. My World was purchased by his current connections for $350,000 at the 2024 Keeneland September yearling sale.
Two-time Eclipse Award winner Essential Quality was represented by 19 winners in his first crop, including three Stakes winners. In addition to My World, Essential Quality is the sire of Essential Time, winner of the Clever Trevor Stakes and Chopsticks, winner of the Ellis Park Debutante.
Essential Quality will stand the 2026 breeding season at Jonabell Farm for a fee of $25,000, stands and nurses.
