Turfway Park: Jeff Ruby Steaks Kentucky Derby Qualifier

Formerly known as the Spiral Stakes, Jeff Ruby from Turfway Park will offer Derby points this weekend. The race has failed to produce a Derby winner since 2011.

Jeff Ruby Steaks

You read that correctly. This race uses the food related spelling of “steaks” as opposed to the “stakes” that would be proper for a horse race. The spelling was changed when the popular steakhouse become the sponser.

Lack of Production

One of the challenges heading into the Kentucky Derby each year is to assess how well each of the prep races stack up against each other. One of the more common things handicappers will point to is the past success of the race.

In that regard, this race doesn’t hold up that well. This could have a lot to do with the fact that it is held on a synthetic surface. These surfaces often play more favorably to horses who will eventually succeed on grass.

That explains why previous winners have seen far greater levels of success in turf races once they have broken the Derby fever.

Turfway Park Race 12- Analysis

Post: 6:23 PM ET; Purse: $600,000 Jeff Ruby Steaks S., 1 1/8 Miles on All Weather Track; Entries: 13

• #12 BLACKADDER (15-1) is worth a look here given edges in record at the distance & early pace numbers. One hesitation that I have of this one is that front runners have been getting swallowed up late in the lane. With the high draw this one may struggle to find a ground saving trip and may be asked to push pretty hard from the gates. Nevertheless I like the talent and the price is right so I have to take a shot.
• #7 TIZ THE BOMB (2-1) is favored and makes total sense based on the previous speed figures.
• #13 SWING SHIFT (15-1) is in great form and could get a nice pace scenario if he can work out a trip from the wide post.
• #9 DOWAGIAC CHIEF (8-1) is eligible to improve as we inch closer to the summer of his three year old season. I wouldn’t discount this runner completely.

Selections: 12-7-13-9

Jeff Ruby Steaks Undercar Analysis

Turfway Park Race 1

Post: 12:45 PM ET; Purse: $62,000 Maiden Special Weight, 6 Furlongs on All Weather Track; Entries: 12

• #6 BLUE DEVIL (7-2) should be in the right spot early to give this horse a chance to get the job done.
• #9 TREASURE HUNTING (5-1) is in with a great chance based on the horse's class & bredding.
• #5 FAST FELIX (5-1) should be competitive today based on the horse's speed & form.
• #3 T C GREELEY (12-1) could be the right type of horse to get up for a piece in this spot.

Selections: 6-9-5-3

Turfway Park Race 2

Post: 1:13 PM ET; Purse: $62,000 Maiden Special Weight, 1 Mile on All Weather Track; Entries: 13

• #11 IDIOMATIC (5-2) has to be respected based on the connections.
• #3 MY LILY MAE (7-2) is a major player in today's race edging the field in several key handicapping factors including speed & pace numbers.
• #6 BYZANTINE (6-1) could get a perfect pace scenario today.
• #5 MADRE DI GRANDEZZA (12-1) is a solid price. A win might be a big ask, but maybe a clunk up third can bring some value.

Selections: 11-3-6-5

Turfway Park Race 3

Post: 1:43 PM ET; Purse: $64,000 Allowance Optional Claiming, 1 Mile on All Weather Track; Entries: 14

• #12 TILTINGATWINDMILLS (6-1) is worth a look here given edges in class & power rating.
• #13 JAZZY LADY (5-1) is worth a look here given edges in record at the distance & early pace numbers.
• #9 GOLDEN VOICE (5-1) is proven as a good bet to at least hit the board under today's distance and surface conditions.
• #7 THEFABULOUS MOOLAH (12-1) is yet another 12-1 shot on the card that could get the right setup to find the board in this spot.

Selections: 12-13-9-7

Turfway Park Race 4

Post: 2:13 PM ET; Purse: $62,000 Maiden Special Weight, 1 Mile on All Weather Track; Entries: 12

• #11 LESLIE CHOW (3-1) is a major player in today's race edging the field in several key handicapping factors including speed & pace numbers.
• #4 JR'S GIFT (12-1) is proven as a good bet to at least hit the board under today's distance and surface conditions.
• #9 KLIMTOGLORY (15-1) looks to have to have kept the best company in the previous starts.
• #5 ARRONAUTIC (4-1) has to be respected based on the connections.

Selections: 11-4-9-5 (Best Bet: #11 LESLIE CHOW)

Turfway Park Race 5

Post: 2:43 PM ET; Purse: $62,000 Maiden Special Weight, 6 Furlongs on All Weather Track; Entries: 14

• #10 NEXT TUESDAY (7-2) has a great shot in the race given the speed & class.
• #5 NILE RIVER QUEEN (9-2) has to be respected based on the connections.
• #7 SPEIGHTSY HOT (15-1) should be competitive based on the breeding which suggests she should be well suited to run here.
• #6 FRACING NASTY (9-2) has already hit the board at the distance. Maybe a little improvement and this one is off to face winners.

Turfway Park Race 6

Post: 3:13 PM ET; Purse: $64,000 Allowance Optional Claiming, 1 Mile on All Weather Track; Entries: 14

• #11 ENID (2-1) merits consideration in this spot given edges in speed & power rating.
• #2 GREENER PASTURES (4-1) looks to have to have kept the best company in the previous starts.
• #7 SLIABH AUGHTY (15-1) comes into the race signaling a big performance in the near future.
• #5 POLAR WIND (12-1) goes out for the Klopp barn which has to be respected at Turfway.

Selections: 11-2-7-5

Turfway Park Race 7

Post: 3:43 PM ET; Purse: $200,000 Latonia S., 1 1/16 Miles on All Weather Track; Entries: 7

• #6 THE MARY ROSE (3-1) merits consideration in this spot given edges in speed & form.
• #7 SKYGAZE (3-1) is a distance specialist on the synthetic surface.
• #4 BREEZE RIDER (2-1) is worth a look here given edges in pace numbers & power rating.
• #1 CRAZY BEAUTIFUL (5-2) should be competitive today based on the horse's stamina & connections.

Selections: 6-7-4-1

Turfway Park Race 8

Post: 4:13 PM ET; Purse: $200,000 Rushaway S., 1 1/16 Miles on All Weather Track; Entries: 14

• #5 TOMMY BEE (7-2) has to be respected based on the connections.
• #14 TYSON (12-1) has been a major player routing on the synthetic track.
• #3 BODOCK (6-1) goes out for Brad Cox so play against at your peril.
• #4 WIN FOR THE MONEY (6-1) could get a perfect pace scenario today.

Selections: 5-14-3-4

Turfway Park Race 9

Post: 4:43 PM ET; Purse: $200,000 Animal Kingdom S., 6 Furlongs on All Weather Track; Entries: 8

• #7 ROTKNEE (3-1) has to be respected today edging the field in several key handicapping factors including class & pace numbers.
• #1 NOBALS (3-1) is a major player in today's race edging the field in several key handicapping factors including stamina & race flow.
• #2 HIGHER STANDARD (5-2) is a major player based on speed figures.
• #4 HOIST THE GOLD (2-1) is another with speed figures competitive against this group.

Selections: 7-1-2-4

Turfway Park Race 10

Post: 5:13 PM ET; Purse: $250,000 TwinSpires Kentucky Cup Classic S., 1 1/8 Miles on All Weather Track; Entries: 14

• #2 VISITANT (2-1) has a great shot in the race given the speed & power rating.
• #12 BEATBOX (7-2) is proven as a good bet to at least hit the board under today's distance and surface conditions.
• #1 INVADER (8-1) wouldn't be a huge surprise in the winner's circle.
• #10 CROSS BORDER (7-2) has the class and is a horse I’ve just always liked so its hard to fully play against, but I like others better here.

Selections: 2-12-1-10

Turfway Park Race 11

Post: 5:43 PM ET; Purse: $250,000 Bourbonette Oaks, 1 1/16 Miles on All Weather Track; Entries: 12

• #12 VERGARA (8-1) is worth a look here given edges in pace numbers & power rating.
• #11 CATICHE (6-1) is a major player based on speed figures.
• #8 SANDSTONE (5-2) is a major player in today's race edging the field in several key handicapping factors including speed & form.
• #2 LET'S BE CLEAR (12-1) is worth a look here given edges in connections & record at the distance.

Selections: 12-11-8-2

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