Jeff Ruby Steaks

Road to the Kentucky Derby > Jeff Ruby Steaks

Jeff Ruby Race Facts

  • Location: Turfway Park, Florence, KY
  • Inaugural Race: 1972
  • Current Distance: 1 1/8 miles
  • Track Type: Left-Handed PolyTrack
  • Age Qualifications: Three-year-olds
  • Status: Grade 3
  • 2024 Purse: $700,000
  • 2024 Race Date: Saturday, March 23rd

Formerly known as the Spiral Stakes at Turfway Park, the Jeff Ruby Steaks has seen several great horses come through it's doors over time. When still known as the Spiral Stakes, Kentucky Derby winner Animal Kingdom won the prep before he enter the Kentucky Derby starting gates.

Run on a synthetic surface and also the winter circuit for Kentucky Thoroughbred racing, Turfway has always held some questions on relevancy. In the history of the Spiral and previous prep when Latonia Racetrack was running, several strong contenders in the last 15 years has kept the race worth a set of points towards a Kentucky Derby start.

Jeff Ruby Steaks Results

POSTHORSEJOCKEY / TRAINERWIN / PLACE / SHOW
10
Two Phil's
Jareth Loveberry / Larry Rivelli
$7.64 / $3.90 / $2.92
1
Major Dude
Irad Ortiz, Jr. / Todd A. Pletcher
$3.28 / $2.56
4
Funtastic Again
Gerardo Corrales / Wesley A. Ward
$3.96
11
Wadsworth
Chris Landeros / Brad H. Cox
5
Maker's Candy
Umberto Rispoli / Michael J. Maker
8
Congruent
Sonny Leon / Antonio Sano
6
Baby Billy
Joseph Talamo / Jack Sisterson
9
Escapologist
Alex Achard / Kenneth G. McPeek
7
Bluebirds Over
Edgard J. Zayas / Saffie A. Joseph, Jr.
12
Point Proven
John R. Velazquez / Todd A. Pletcher

Exotic Payoffs:

  • $2.00 Exacta (10-1): $25.60
  • $0.50 Trifecta (10-1-4): $39.76
  • $0.10 Superfecta (10-1-4-11): $25.44

Watch the 2023 Jeff Ruby Steaks

History of the Jeff Ruby Steaks

The Jeff Ruby Steaks is the most important Derby prep race held on an artificial track. First held in 1972, the Turfway Park feature is always a good contest. The race has been a part of the Road to the Kentucky Derby series since it began in 2013. However, for the 2018 edition it became less valuable in that series, with the points available being downgraded from 50-20-10-5 for the first four home to 20-8-4-2. In 2021, the points awarded to the finishers increased dramatically to the 100-40-20-10 scale, giving the winner an incredible boost towards qualifying for Derby. Finally in 2023, the points were adjusted once again to award points to the first five finishers (100-40-30-20-10).

Though it was not an important Classic guide in its early years, the race became very important for a four-year stretch in the early 1990s, when three of its victors – Summer Squall, Lil E. Tee, and Prairie Bayou – would go on to win Classics. Other notable winners were Broad Brush, Serena’s Song, Stephen Got Even, and Flower Alley.

Since Turfway Park was changed to an artificial track in 2006, the race has become less important as a Derby guide, though its winners include 2007 Derby third-place finisher Hard Spun and 2011 winner Animal Kingdom. None of the winners since Animal Kingdom have made a great impact on Derby day.

Jeff Ruby Steaks Past Winners

Year
Winner
Jockey / Trainer
Distance / Time
2023
Two Phil's
Jareth Loveberry / Larry Rivelli
1 1⁄8 miles / 1:49.03
2022
Tiz the Bomb
Brian Joseph Hernandez, Jr. / Kenneth G. McPeek
​1 1⁄8 miles / 1:48.60
2021
Like the King
Drayden Van Dyke / Wesley A. Ward
​1 1⁄8 miles / 1:50.22
2020
Field Pass
Irad Ortiz Jr. / Michael J. Maker
​1 1⁄8 miles / 1:49.34
2019
Somelikeithotbrown
Tyler Gaffalione / Michael J. Maker
​1 1⁄8 miles / 1:52.05
2018
Blended Citizen
Kyle Frey / Doug F. O'Neill
​1 1⁄8 miles / 1:50.15
2017
Fast and Accurate
Tyler Gaffalione / Michael J. Maker
​1 1⁄8 miles / 1:50.96
2016
Oscar Nominated
Brian Hernandez Jr. / Michael J. Maker
​1 1⁄8 miles / 1:51.12
2015
Dubai Sky
Jose Lezcano / William I. Mott
​1 1⁄8 miles / 1:50.26
2014
We Miss Artie
John R. Velazquez / Todd A. Pletcher
​1 1⁄8 miles / 1:51.98