OZONE PARK, N.Y. – While trainer Kiaran McLaughlin brought the bulk of his top-caliber horses to south Florida for the winter, he left one potentially very good horse behind for the time being. Takaful, who dazzled in his debut before disappointing in the Remsen, will kick off 2017 in Monday’s Grade 3, $150,000 Jerome Stakes at Aqueduct, the first race on this circuit for New York-based 3-year-olds with hopes of making it to the Kentucky Derby on May 6. Takaful will take on six rivals in the Jerome, a mile and 70-yard race that offers its top four finishers qualifying points (10-4-2-1) for the Derby. Takaful, a son of Bernardini owned by Shadwell Stable, won his debut by eight lengths on Oct. 29 at Belmont Park. He ran 6 1/2 furlongs in 1:15.82 and earned a 92 Beyer Speed Figure. With limited options, McLaughlin had to stretch Takaful out to 1 1/8 miles in the Remsen here on Nov. 26. In addition to facing more seasoned rivals, Takaful broke awkwardly from the gate and got too aggressive early on under Jose Ortiz. After setting the pace into the stretch, Takaful was overtaken by Mo Town and then No Dozing while finishing third, beaten six lengths. McLaughlin said that Takaful should benefit from more racing. The Jerome enables Takaful to stay around two turns while getting more experience before potentially shipping to south Florida for Gulfstream Park’s series of races for 3-year-olds. “We thought two turns, inner track, with speed, it’d probably be a great spot to run him,” McLaughlin said. “He’s doing well in New York and the weather has been decent for December. Hopefully it works out. He might not continue to stay up there.” Takaful will break from post 3 McLaughlin also sends out True Timber, a son of Mineshaft who tries winners for the first time off a six-furlong maiden win here on Dec. 10. El Areeb, based in Maryland with Cal Lynch, stretches out around two turns after two dominant wins sprinting at Laurel. “The way he acts, it shouldn’t be an issue,” Lynch said of the two turns. Trainer Todd Pletcher sends out the uncoupled entry of Bonus Points and Win With Pride. Jerome, Race 8 KEY CONTENDERS Takaful, by Bernardini Beyers: 77-92 ◗ Poor break and lack of seasoning and some strong competition may have conspired against him when he finished third as the favorite in the Grade 2 Remsen. Worked only once in the last five weeks, but it was a sharp half-mile in 47.19 seconds on Dec. 23. El Areeb, by Exchange Rate Last 3 Beyers: 94-82-49 ◗ Bucked shins when fourth in his debut and was wide and too far back in when second in his second start. ◗ His final time of 1:09.96 winning the James F. Lewis at Laurel on Nov. 19 was faster than the final time of the De Francis Dash for older male sprinters on the same card. “Since we got him in the spring, he’s been training like a good horse,” Lynch said. “He’s gotten bigger, stronger and we’re excited.” Win With Pride, by Distorted Humor Last 3 Beyers: 77-61-54 ◗ Was beaten only a head by Takaful when fourth in the Remsen, won by Mo Town. “He was a little green,” said Byron Hughes, assistant to trainer Todd Pletcher. “Turning for home, a horse came to him on the outside and he ducked away from him a little bit. He came on again to the wire and galloped out strong. It was a good learning experience for him. He’s been training well since and we know Mo Town is not going to be in there.”