Tipsheet: 2026 Jeff Ruby Steaks

A full cast of 12 sophomores will run 1 1/8 miles over the Tapeta surface at Turfway Park in Saturday’s $777,000 Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3). The 2026 Road to the Kentucky Derby challenge series event will reward the top five finishers with qualifying points on a 100-50-25-15-10 basis. 

Jeff Ruby Steaks Picks

• #11 Stark Contrast
• #2 Fulleffort
• #10 Argos
• #1 Turf Star

Jeff Ruby Steaks Wagers

• $20 win #11 Stark Contrast
• $10 exacta box 2-11
• 50-cent trifecta box 1,2,10,11

Jeff Ruby Steaks Contenders

#1 TURF STAR (10-1): Graham Motion trainee had a nice freshman campaign and will make his second run of the season while also making his synthetic debut from the rail. The exotics contender will be equipped with blinkers for the first time in the tilt, and I expect him to be in the hunt late with John Velazquez in the silks. 

#2 FULLEFFORT (7-2): Likely one to beat was a close second in the Battaglia Memorial S. on the surface most recently, and gets more ground with which to work with in this spot. The $425,000 son of Liam’s Map has put in two fine efforts on the strip this campaign, and the improving sort might be moving best of all in the stretch in his third off the layoff with Irad inheriting the mount. 

#3 BAYTOWN DREAMER (30-1): Chestnut son of Mendelssohn was an even fourth in the Battaglia in his local bow in advance of this, but will need a big step forward to upset this cast. The Paul McEntee trainee is capable of running big on his best day and could earn a minor award with improvement beneath Bocachica. 

#4 TWO OUT HERO (8-1): Grade-1 placed stakes winner was empty in his three-year-old debut on the oval last time out, but flashed a ton of ability at two and deserves another chance in this one. The Kevin Attard trainee zipped a bullet five-eighths at Palm Meadows in his latest morning spin and has some longshot appeal with Gerardo Corrales in the silks. 

#5 BLACK HORNET (12-1): Essential Quality colt has won a pair of races in succession since moving to the grass and will make his all-weather debut on this occasion. The Brendan Walsh pupil comes off a nice Black Gold S. tally, and the $120,000 juvenile purchase wouldn’t be a surprise if he thrives over the Tapeta with Declan Cannon on board. 

#6 MEDICI (6-1): West Coast import just missed last time in the deep Pasadena S. and is another who could have a big say in the outcome of the contest. The speedy sort from the Richard Mandella barn has room to improve in his second run off the bench and will have Mirco Demuro in the stirrups. 

#7 MAXIMUS PRIME (20-1): Maiden in the field outran his 88-1 odds when third in the John Battaglia Memorial for conditioner Anthony Mitchell. The bay son of Maximus Mischief will face tougher in this spot and would be a surprise with Joseph Ramos in the irons. 

#8 CHAOS AGENT (10-1): Gulfstream shipper was very impressive in posting a debut win going two turns on the synthetic and takes a big class hike for trainer Josie Carroll. The $350,000 son of Independence Hall is obviously a nice prospect but faces a tall task in this deep group, with Joel Rosario picking up what could be a live mount. 

#9 BRAVE FORCE (30-1): Gun Runner gelding was a smart maiden winner on the oval most recently and has displayed consistent improvement since having the blinkers removed three back. The Jack Sisterson charge will need to vault forward to challenge this cast late, however. Vincent Cheminaud will take the reins. 

#10 ARGOS (6-1): Nyquist colt will have blinkers added in his first run for trainer Brad Cox. The Grade 1 victor clearly has a lot of ability, and he did post a nice half-mile morning drill on this surface, so I expect him to run well in his second appearance of the season. Luan Machado will guide the stalker. 

#11 STARK CONTRAST (5-2): Top pick has been excellent in his last four assignments after an unplaced dirt debut, and he gets top billing in the deep crew. The Caravaggio colt was a popular and facile winner of the Eddie Logan S. in his seasonal bow, and he will be a force if he takes to this surface, which I feel that he will. Regular rider Kaz Kimura will be in the irons. 

#12 STOP THE CAR (20-1): Second from the Walsh shedrow ran mostly evenly in the Lecomte (G3) after winning his first two lifetime starts, and he will try the Tapeta for the first time from the outside post in the feature. The late-running Maximum Security sophomore could be any kind on the course with Edgar Morales taking the reins.