Florence, KY – Turfway Park is set to host its annual Jeff Ruby Steaks on Saturday, March 21, a key prep race on the Road to the Kentucky Derby. The Grade III stakes race, offering a $777,000 purse, will feature a competitive field of three-year-ancient thoroughbreds vying for qualifying points towards a coveted spot in the Kentucky Derby on May 2nd. The event is structured with 100 points awarded to the winner, 50 to second, 25 to third, 15 to fourth, and 10 to fifth.
Beyond the Jeff Ruby Steaks, the day’s card includes a total of twelve races, with five additional stakes events scheduled. More than 150 horses are entered, representing nearly 100 different trainers and 25 jockeys, with the first post scheduled for 12:45 p.m. ET.
Racing analyst “Mr. Ed,” offering selections through VSiN, has identified several potential contenders throughout the day. In the $100,000 Maiden Special Weight for three-year-old fillies, Mr. Ed favors a Daily Double wager on horses #4, Adorable Moments, ridden by Joseph Ramos, and #5, Nicksie, with Johnny Velazquez aboard.
The $102,000 Allowance Optional Claiming race for three-year-olds sees Mr. Ed leaning towards either #1, Global Sensation, with jockey Irad Ortiz Jr., or #4, Hogie the Player, ridden by Luan Machado. In the $102,000 Allowance Optional Claiming race for fillies and mares, Mr. Ed’s pick is #5, Yes trained by Cherie DeVaux and ridden by Ortiz Jr.
Mr. Ed also highlighted #1, Literate, in the $250,000 Latonia Stakes for fillies and mares, four years old and up, citing the mare’s speed and trainer Brad Cox’s expertise. For the $250,000 Rushaway Stakes for three-year-olds, Mr. Ed suggests an Exacta Box bet on #1, J J Grey, #4, Steel Imperium, and #8, Bull By The Horns.
A $.50 Pick 4 wager is also recommended, with selections of 3, 7, and 8 in the ninth race; 1 and 9 in the tenth; 5, 7, and 9 in the eleventh; and 2, 4, 8, 10, and 11 in the twelfth.
The Jeff Ruby Steaks itself presents a challenging field, but Mr. Ed identifies five horses with a realistic chance of earning Kentucky Derby qualifying points: #8, Chaos Agent; #10, Argos, also trained by Brad Cox and getting first-time blinkers; #11, Stark Contrast; #2, Fulleffort, with Ortiz Jr. Riding; and #4, Two Out Hero. Mr. Ed recommends an Exacta Box bet on 2, 8, and 10, as well as an Exacta Box on 8 and 2, 4.
Turfway Park’s Jeff Ruby Steaks has become an increasingly essential stepping stone to the Kentucky Derby, having produced both the 2022 winner, Rich Strike, and the 2023 runner-up, Two Phil’s. The race is unique among major Kentucky Derby prep races for being held on a synthetic Tapeta track.
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