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
- 2023 Purse: $700,000
- 2023 Race Date: Saturday, March 25th
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
| POST | HORSE | JOCKEY / TRAINER | WIN / PLACE / SHOW |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | Tiz the Bomb | Brian Joseph Hernandez, Jr. / Kenneth G. McPeek | $5.20 / $3.20 / $3.00 |
| 5 | Tawny Port | Manuel Franco / Brad H. Cox | $4.60 / $4.00 |
| 4 | Rich Strike | Sonny Leon / Eric R. Reed | $7.40 |
| 9 | Dowagiac Chief | James Graham / Thomas M. Amoss | |
| 1 | Royal Spirit | Chris Landeros / Todd A. Pletcher | |
| 3 | Cabo Spirit | Joe Bravo / George Papaprodromou | |
| 2 | Stolen Base | Gerardo Corrales / Michael J. Maker | |
| 8 | Red Run | Joseph Talamo / Steven M. Asmussen | |
| 11 | Constitutionlawyer | Jalon L. Samuel / Raymond Handal | |
| 13 | Swing Shift | Kazushi Kimura / Todd A. Pletcher | |
| 6 | Great Escape | Adam Beschizza / Rodolphe Brisset | |
| 10 | Optigogo | Rafael Bejarano / Eoin G. Harty |
Exotic Payoffs:
- $2 Exacta (7-5): $21.60
- $0.50 Trifecta (7-5-4): $50.00
- $0.10 Superfecta (7-5-4-9): $143.61
Watch the 2022 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.
Though it was not an important Classic guide in its early years, the Jeff Ruby Steaks 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 2013 | Black Onyx | Joe Bravo / Kelly J. Breen | 1 1⁄8 miles / 1:51.98 |
| 2012 | Went the Day Well | John R. Velazquez / H. Graham Motion | 1 1⁄8 miles / 1:51.33 |
| 2011 | Animal Kingdom | Alan Garcia / H. Graham Motion | 1 1⁄8 miles / 1:52.32 |
| 2010 | Dean's Kitten | Cornelio Velasquez / Michael J. Maker | 1 1⁄8 miles / 1:50.59 |
| 2009 | Hold Me Back | Kent J. Desormeaux / William I. Mott | 1 1⁄8 miles / 1:49.63 |
| 2008 | Adriano | Edgar S. Prado / H. Graham Motion | 1 1⁄8 miles / 1:50.20 |
| 2007 | Hard Spun | Mario G. Pino / J. Larry Jones | 1 1⁄8 miles / 1:49.41 |
| 2006 | With A City | Brice Blanc / Michael J. Maker | 1 1⁄8 miles / 1:51.11 |
| 2005 | Flower Alley | Jorge F. Chavez / Todd A. Pletcher | 1 1⁄8 miles / 1:50.33 |
| 2004 | Sinister G | Paul R. Toscano / John T. Toscano Jr. | 1 1⁄8 miles / 1:50.71 |
| 2003 | New York Hero | Norberto Arroyo Jr. / Jennifer Pedersen | 1 1⁄8 miles / 1:50.68 |
| 2002 | Perfect Drift | Eddie Delahoussaye / Murray W. Johnson | 1 1⁄8 miles / 1:48.83 |
| 2001 | Balto Star | Mark Guidry / Todd A. Pletcher | 1 1⁄8 miles / 1:47.23 |
| 2000 | Globalize | Francisco C. Torres / Jerry Hollendorfer | 1 1⁄8 miles / 1:49.16 |
| 1999 | Stephen Got Even | Shane Sellers / Nicholas P. Zito | 1 1⁄8 miles / 1:49.03 |
| 1998 | Event of the Year | Russell Baze / Jerry Hollendorfer | 1 1⁄8 miles / 1:47.00 |
| 1997 | Concerto | Carlos H. Marquez Jr. / John J. Tammaro III | 1 1⁄8 miles / 1:48.20 |
| 1996 | Roar | Mike E. Smith / Claude R. McGaughey III | 1 1⁄8 miles / 1:49.60 |
| 1995 | Serena's Song | Corey Nakatani / D. Wayne Lukas | 1 1⁄8 miles / 1:49.60 |
| 1994 | Polar Expedition | Curt C. Bourque / Hugh H. Robertson | 1 1⁄8 miles / 1:49.00 |
| 1993 | Prairie Bayou | Chris McCarron / Thomas K. Bohannan | 1 1⁄8 miles / 1:50.80 |
| 1992 | Lil E. Tee | Pat Day / Lynn S. Whiting | 1 1⁄8 miles / 1:53.40 |
| 1991 | Hansel | Jerry D. Bailey / Frank L. Brothers | 1 1⁄8 miles / 1:46.60 |
| 1990 | Summer Squall | Pat Day / Neil J. Howard | 1 1⁄8 miles / 1:49.40 |
| 1989 | Western Playboy | Pat Day / Harvey L. Vanier | 1 1⁄8 miles / 1:49.00 |
| 1988 | Kingpost | Eugene J. Sipus Jr. / Dianne Carpenter | 1 1⁄8 miles / 1:50.80 |
| 1987 | J. T.'s Pet | Pat Day / Lynn S. Whiting | 1 1⁄16 miles / 1:42.80 |
| 1986 | Broad Brush | Vincent Bracciale Jr. / Richard W. Small | 1 1⁄16 miles / 1:44.20 |
| 1985 | Banner Bob | K. Keith Allen / Jerome J. Sarner Jr. | 1 1⁄16 miles / 1:42.00 |
| 1984 | At the Threshold | Pat Day / Lynn S. Whiting | 1 1⁄16 miles / 1:42.80 |
| 1983 | Marfa | Jorge Velasquez / D. Wayne Lukas | 1 1⁄16 miles / 1:42.40 |
| 1982 | Good n' Dusty | Michael Moran / Jasper Adams | 1 1⁄16 miles / 1:44.60 |
| 1981 | Mythical Ruler | Keith Wirth / Fred V. Wirth | 1 mile / 1:38.00 |
| 1980 (Division 1) | Major Run | Mark S. Sellers / William E. Adams | 1 mile / 1:36.60 |
| 1980 (Division 2) | Spruce Needles | Julio C. Espinoza / William E. Adams | 1 mile / 1:37.20 |
| 1979 | Lot o' Gold | Don Brumfield / William E. Adams | 1 mile / 1:37.60 |
| 1978 (Division 1) | Five Star General | Julio C. Espinoza / William E. Adams | 1 mile / 1:38.80 |
| 1978 (Division 2) | Raymond Earl | Julio C. Espinoza / William E. Adams | 1 mile / 1:37.80 |
| 1977 (Division 1) | Smiley's Dream | W. Destefano / William E. Adams | 1 mile / 1:39.40 |
| 1977 (Division 2) | Bob's Dusty | Julio C. Espinoza / William E. Adams | 1 mile / 1:38.80 |
| 1976 | Inca Roca | William Nemeti / Albert T. Skinner | 1 mile / 1:37.40 |
| 1975 (Division 1) | Naughty Jake | German Vasquez / Jake Bachelor | 1 mile / 1:40.00 |
| 1975 (Division 2) | Ambassador's Image | Eddie Snell / Donald L. Ball | 1 mile / 1:38.40 |
| 1974 (Division 1) | King of Rome | Keith Wirth / Fred V. Wirth | 1 mile / 1:45.40 |
| 1974 (Division 2) | Aglorite | John Beech Jr. / Rose Bramble | 1 mile / 1:44.60 |
| 1973 (Division 1) | Jacks Chevron | Billy Phelps / Carl Sitgraves | 1 mile / 1:41.00 |
| 1973 (Division 2) | Bootlegger's Pet | Mickey Solomone / Charles C. Patrick | 1 mile / 1:42.00 |
| 1972 | Big Dot | Jim Murchison / James Eckrosh | 1 mile / 1:38.80 |