Jerome S.

Trainer Cathal Lynch has as many as 25 2-year-olds enter his Maryland barn each year with the hope that one or more will separate itself from the crowd. His wait for something special may finally be over.

El Areeb took his first step toward the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands and made it a big one when he rolled by 11 ¼ lengths in the $150,000 Jerome Stakes at Aqueduct on Monday.

The gray son of Exchange Rate, a $340,000 purchase as a 2-year-old in training, was so impressive for jockey Trevor McCarthy over a muddy surface that Lynch described him as the best young prospect he has overseen in his 20-year career.

“It’s a big statement,” he acknowledged.

But it is one he does not hesitate to make after El Areeb won his third consecutive start with those victories coming by a combined margin of 25 ¼ lengths. The Kentucky-bred began the streak when he earned his first career win by 8 ¾ lengths in a six-furlong contest at Laurel Park on Oct. 15.

The colt stepped up to the James F. Lewis at Laurel on Nov. 19 and responded with a 5 ¼-length score. In that race, he completed six furlongs in a snappy 1:09.96 clocking, faster than the winning time for older male sprinters in the DeFrancis Dash that afternoon.

“He’s just different,” Lynch said. “I don’t know what to tell you.”

Different?

“It’s just the way he does things, so effortless and so athletic,” he said. “He’s manageable. He’s classy. He just exudes class in everything he does. He’s just a nice horse.”

Bonus Points placed second for trainer Todd Pletcher and jockey Manuel Franco. True Timber, with Kendrick Carmouche aboard, was another half-length behind for Kiaran McLaughlin, his trainer. Favored Takaful, also trained by McLaughlin, took early command for jockey Jose Ortiz but withered under steady pressure applied by El Areeb. Takaful faded to last in the seven-horse field.

El Areeb completed the mile and 70 yards in 1:46.17. He rated kindly, sitting off Takaful’s right flank, easily reeled in Takaful when prompted by McCarthy, his only rider through five career starts, and widened through the stretch.

“He did everything perfect,” McCarthy said, adding, “He’s really grown up a lot through these last few races.”

Lynch thought the outcome was all the more impressive because it was achieved on a muddy track that was sealed. “It’s definitely not his preference,” he said of the wet footing. “He’s just a good horse. Good horses can run on broken glass.”

The Jerome represents the first of the New York prep races leading to the first Saturday in May and was worth 10 points to the winner, four points for second, two for third and one point to fourth-place Win With Pride, another Pletcher trainee.

Lynch is not allowing himself to think ahead to Churchill Downs and the Run for the Roses, not on this raw and rainy afternoon at the start of the new year at Aqueduct.

“It’s going to be up to the horse,” he said. “In horse racing, tomorrow everything can be different. It’s one day at a time.” He noted that he will likely stay with the series of prep races offered in New York.

As for McCarthy, he did not attempt to conceal his excitement. He said of a potential Derby start, “It’s got to be on your mind. He just won a good 3-year-old race in New York against some good horses. Hopefully we can get there. That would be awesome.”