Race Details
- Date: Saturday, May 10, 2025
- Time: 11:16 PM UK / 6:16 PM ET
- Venue: Belmont at the Big A
- Distance: 1 mile (Dirt)
- Purse: $200,000
- Eligible Horses: 4-year-olds & up (Fillies & Mares)
The Ruffian Stakes is a prestigious Grade II race that attracts top older fillies and mares specializing in middle-distance dirt races. This year’s field features 11 contenders, each bringing unique strengths and racing backgrounds.
Contenders Overview
1. Takethemoneyhoney (USA)
- Sire: Into Mischief
- Dam: Gold Digging Broad
- Trainer: Michael Moore
- Jockey: Eliseo Ruiz
- Age: 4
- Weight: 118 lbs
- Recent Form: Winner at Laurel Park (1 mile, April 2025)
Takethemoneyhoney enters the Ruffian Stakes in strong form, having won her last race convincingly. Her sire, Into Mischief, is known for producing elite dirt runners, making her a serious contender.
2. Morning Matcha (USA)
- Sire: Nyquist
- Dam: Elusive Quality
- Trainer: Robert Reid Jr.
- Jockey: Paco Lopez
- Age: 6
- Weight: 120 lbs
- Recent Form: Fourth at Aqueduct (6 furlongs, April 2025)
Morning Matcha has experience at this level, but she will need to improve off her last effort. Nyquist’s progeny tend to excel at middle distances, making her a potential sleeper pick.
3. Catherine Wheel (USA)
- Sire: Practical Joke
- Dam: Candy Ride
- Trainer: Chad Brown
- Jockey: Flavien Prat
- Age: 4
- Weight: 118 lbs
- Recent Form: Third at Laurel Park (1 mile, April 2025)
Catherine Wheel has shown consistency, finishing in the money in her last three starts. Chad Brown’s expertise with dirt runners could give her an edge.
4. Sterling Silver (USA)
- Sire: Carpe Diem
- Dam: Barbie On a Budget
- Trainer: William Mott
- Jockey: Javier Castellano
- Age: 6
- Weight: 118 lbs
- Recent Form: Winner at Aqueduct (1 mile, April 2025)
Sterling Silver enters in top form, having won her last race impressively. Her pedigree suggests stamina, and Castellano’s tactical riding could help her secure another victory.
5. Here’s The Kicker (USA)
- Sire: Dialed In
- Dam: Voussoir
- Trainer: Saffie Joseph Jr.
- Jockey: Ricardo Santana Jr.
- Age: 4
- Weight: 118 lbs
- Recent Form: Winner at Gulfstream Park (1 mile, March 2025)
Here’s The Kicker has momentum, winning her last race by a comfortable margin. Dialed In’s offspring tend to perform well at this distance.
6. Dazzling Move (USA)
- Sire: Upstart
- Dam: Green Punch
- Trainer: Saffie Joseph Jr.
- Jockey: Irad Ortiz Jr.
- Age: 4
- Weight: 122 lbs
- Recent Form: Fifth at Keeneland (7 furlongs, April 2025)
Dazzling Move has struggled in recent outings, but Ortiz Jr.’s presence could help her rebound.
7. Claret Beret (USA)
- Sire: Dialed In
- Dam: Voussoir
- Trainer: Saffie Joseph Jr.
- Jockey: Junior Alvarado
- Age: 4
- Weight: 118 lbs
- Recent Form: Fifth at Oaklawn Park (1 mile, March 2025)
Claret Beret has shown flashes of talent, but she will need to step up against this competitive field.
8. Jody’s Pride (USA)
- Sire: Nyquist
- Dam: Elusive Quality
- Trainer: Jorge Abreu
- Jockey: Joel Rosario
- Age: 4
- Weight: 120 lbs
- Recent Form: Fifth at Oaklawn Park (1 mile, March 2025)
Jody’s Pride has struggled in recent outings, but Rosario’s riding ability could help her improve.
9. Gun Song (USA)
- Sire: Gun Runner
- Dam: Majorelle
- Trainer: Mark Hennig
- Jockey: John Velazquez
- Age: 4
- Weight: 124 lbs
- Recent Form: Third at Gulfstream Park (1 mile, March 2025)
Gun Song has solid credentials, with Gun Runner’s pedigree suggesting strong dirt performance.
10. My Mane Squeeze (USA)
- Sire: Speightstown
- Dam: In Spite of Mama
- Trainer: Michael Maker
- Jockey: Manuel Franco
- Age: 4
- Weight: 124 lbs
- Recent Form: Third in the Grade I Madison Stakes (7 furlongs, April 2025)
My Mane Squeeze is one of the top contenders, having placed in multiple graded stakes. Speightstown’s progeny tend to excel in sprint and middle-distance races.
11. Headline Numbers (USA)
- Sire: Practical Joke
- Dam: Candy Ride
- Trainer: Chad Brown
- Jockey: Dylan Davis
- Age: 4
- Weight: 120 lbs
- Recent Form: Winner at Aqueduct (1 mile, April 2025)
Headline Numbers enters in strong form, having won her last race convincingly. Chad Brown’s expertise with dirt runners makes her a serious contender.
Race Prediction & Strategy
- My Mane Squeeze appears to be the strongest contender based on recent form and pedigree.
- Sterling Silver and Headline Numbers could challenge late, given their consistency.
- Gun Song has the pedigree and trainer to be a factor.
- Takethemoneyhoney is a dark horse with potential upside.
