The Jeff Ruby Steaks Tipsheet

A dozen sophomores will travel 1 1/8 miles on the Turfway Park Polytrack in Saturday’s $250,000 Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3). The 2021 Road to the Kentucky Derby challenge series contest will reward the top-four finishers with points on a 100-40-20-10 structure.

Jeff Ruby Picks

• #8 Moonlite Strike
• #10 Gretzky the Great
• #7 Tarantino
• #2 Hush of a Storm

Jeff Ruby Wagers

• $10 win and place: 8
• $3 exacta key box: 8 with 2,7,10
• $.50-cent trifecta: 8 with 2,7,10 with all

Jeff Ruby Contenders

#1 LIKE THE KING recorded his fifth consecutive top-three finish when runner-up in the John Battaglia Memorial S. on the surface last time out. Palace Malice chestnut is a winner on the oval and will move forward in his second run of 2021. Drayden Van Dyke will guide the talented sophomore.

#2 HUSH OF A STORM has rolled home to win three straight at Turfway for Morey. Battaglia Memorial S. victor has trained well in the interim, and the son of Creative Cause will be doing his best work late under regular pilot Gonzalez.

#3 KING’S OVATION finished second in the Swale S. (G3) two back prior to being outrun in the recent Fountain of Youth S. (G2) for Romans. The $200,000 son of Not This Time will need a lifetime best to challenge for a top-three finish in his local debut.

#4 AWESOME GERRY has faced stakes foes in five straight on the dirt in advance of his All-Weather bow. One of two from the Joseph barn, he's caught the eye on a few occasions in the past, and is eligible to challenge for a positive finish late if he takes to the new grounds.

#5 SAINTHOOD proved to be game in topping a solid maiden field at Fair Grounds most recently for Pletcher. Lightly raced son of Mshawish is bred to run long, and he is another who could be any kind while making his first run on the synthetic. Corrales has the assignment.

#6 SMILEY SOBOTKA didn’t fire in his seasonal debut when well back in the Sam F. Davis S. (G3) at Tampa Bay Downs. Brody’s Cause colt flashed considerable potential at two when a sharp runner-up in the Kentucky Jockey Club S. (G2), and he will surely improve in his second start of 2021 on Saturday. Declan Cannon has the call.

#7 TARANTINO came home fourth in the Fountain of Youth S. (G2) last out, which followed a runner-up result in the Holy Bull S. (G3) for Brisset. The bay son of Pioneerof the Nile has taken a nice step forward as a three-year-old, and he will handle the surface change with ease under Geroux.

#8 MOONLITE STRIKE gets the upset nod at a nice price for Joseph. The $120,000 son of Liam’s Map was a productive third in the Tampa Bay Derby (G2) last time out, and he comes in with a bullet drill and blinkers on since that showing. Rafael Hernandez will have the bay stalking the action from the start.

#9 HARD RYE GUY made a big middle move before finishing fourth in the Battaglia in his stakes debut most recently. Ian Wilkes pupil has improved his Brisnet Speed figure in four straight, and he will appreciate the added ground with which to work with on Saturday. Brian Hernandez picks up the mount.

#10 GRETZKY THE GREAT is the value of the field for Casse. Battaglia third had a tough trip while pressed every step of the way on the rail in his latest showing, but the Grade 1 victor has a much better draw in this event while making his second off the shelf. Nyquist colt looms large with Landeros taking the call.

#11 DYN O MITE has been consistently good since October and will attempt to bring his turf form to the All-Weather for Desormeaux. Goldencents colt has speed in a field with an abundance of it, but he is hard to ignore while in a fine form cycle. Deshawn Parker will be in the silks.

#12 HOCKEY DAD ships in from the Golden State on a three-race win streak for O’Neill. Nyquist homebred has been a clear winner on the dirt and turf this campaign, and he has the tactical speed to overcome the widest post slot, as well. California-bred will have Bejarano in the stirrups.