The Grade III Jeff Ruby Steaks at Turfway Park is a 1 1/8-mile race on the all-weather track for three-year-old colts and geldings. With a purse of $777,000, this stakes race is a key event on the Road to the Kentucky Derby, offering qualifying points to the top finishers. Here’s a detailed analysis of the horses, jockeys, trainers, and pedigrees:
Horses, Jockeys, Trainers, and Pedigrees
- Calling Card (USA)
- Jockey: Adam Beschizza
- Trainer: Michael J. Maker
- Pedigree: Complexity – Graceful Rage, by Bernardini
- Overview: Calling Card has shown promise in allowance company but struggled in his most recent stakes outing. His sire, Complexity, adds speed, while his dam contributes stamina. He will need to step up to contend here.
- Charlie’s to Blame (USA)
- Jockey: Juan J. Hernandez
- Trainer: Peter Eurton
- Pedigree: Blame – Silent Bond, by Medaglia d’Oro
- Overview: Charlie’s to Blame is coming off back-to-back wins, including a victory in the Kitten’s Joy Stakes on turf. His sire, Blame, adds stamina, while his dam contributes versatility. He is making his first start on an all-weather surface but has the class to compete.
- California Burrito (USA)
- Jockey: Irving Moncada
- Trainer: Thomas Drury Jr.
- Pedigree: Army Mule – Bluegrass Sunset, by Tapit
- Overview: California Burrito is in excellent form, coming off two consecutive wins, including the John Battaglia Memorial Stakes at Turfway. His sire, Army Mule, adds speed, while his dam contributes stamina. He is a top contender with proven form on this surface.
- Final Gambit (USA)
- Jockey: Luan Machado
- Trainer: Brad H. Cox
- Pedigree: Not This Time – Pachinko, by Street Cry (IRE)
- Overview: Final Gambit is a lightly raced colt with significant potential. His sire, Not This Time, is known for producing versatile runners, while his dam adds stamina. He is stepping up in class but has shown promise.
- Flying Mohawk (USA)
- Jockey: Joseph D. Ramos
- Trainer: D. Whitworth Beckman
- Pedigree: Karakontie (JPN) – Bonbons Fleur, by Candy Ride (ARG)
- Overview: Flying Mohawk is coming off two consecutive wins on turf. His sire, Karakontie, adds turf aptitude, while his dam contributes speed. He will need to prove he can handle the all-weather surface.
- Baby Max (USA)
- Jockey: Abel Cedillo
- Trainer: Kelsey Danner
- Pedigree: Maximus Mischief – Lemon Gal, by Lemon Drop Kid
- Overview: Baby Max has been consistent, finishing in the exacta in his last four starts, including a second-place finish in the John Battaglia Memorial. His sire, Maximus Mischief, adds speed, while his dam contributes stamina. He is a strong contender.
- Giocoso (USA)
- Jockey: Jaime A. Torres
- Trainer: J. Keith Desormeaux
- Pedigree: Not This Time – Nutcracker Suite (IRE), by Galileo (IRE)
- Overview: Giocoso has struggled in graded stakes but has shown flashes of potential on turf. His sire, Not This Time, adds versatility, while his dam contributes stamina. He will need to improve to challenge the top contenders.
- Innovator (USA)
- Jockey: Nik Juarez
- Trainer: D. Wayne Lukas
- Pedigree: Authentic – Inspired, by Unbridled’s Song
- Overview: Innovator is a lightly raced colt with a strong pedigree. His sire, Authentic, was a Kentucky Derby and Breeders’ Cup Classic winner, while his dam adds speed. He will need to rebound from a disappointing effort in his last start.
- Poster (USA)
- Jockey: John R. Velazquez
- Trainer: Eoin G. Harty
- Pedigree: Munnings – Pin Up, by Tapit
- Overview: Poster is the morning-line favorite, coming off a third-place finish in the Sam F. Davis Stakes. His sire, Munnings, adds speed, while his dam contributes stamina. He has been stabled at Turfway and is expected to improve in his second start of the season.
- Maximum Promise (USA)
- Jockey: Lanfranco Dettori
- Trainer: Kenneth G. McPeek
- Pedigree: Maximum Security – Paixao, by Medaglia d’Oro
- Overview: Maximum Promise has been consistent, finishing third in the John Battaglia Memorial. His sire, Maximum Security, adds class, while his dam contributes stamina. He is a strong contender with proven form on this surface.
- Curvino (USA)
- Jockey: Gerardo Corrales
- Trainer: Peter Miller
- Pedigree: Vino Rosso – Queenie’s Pride, by Smart Strike
- Overview: Curvino is a consistent performer with a strong pedigree. His sire, Vino Rosso, was a Breeders’ Cup Classic winner, while his dam contributes stamina. He is stepping up in class but has shown promise.
- He’s Not Joking (USA)
- Jockey: Rafael Manuel Hernandez
- Trainer: Josie Carroll
- Pedigree: Practical Joke – Collegeville Girl, by Central Banker
- Overview: He’s Not Joking has struggled in recent starts but has a strong record on synthetic surfaces. His sire, Practical Joke, adds versatility, while his dam contributes speed. He will need to rebound to be competitive.
- Candytown (USA)(Also Eligible)
- Jockey: John R. Velazquez
- Trainer: Todd A. Pletcher
- Pedigree: Speightstown – Candymakesmesmile, by Candy Ride (ARG)
- Overview: Candytown is a lightly raced colt with a strong pedigree. His sire, Speightstown, adds speed, while his dam contributes versatility. He is stepping up in class but has shown potential.
Race Dynamics
The Jeff Ruby Steaks is shaping up to be a competitive race, with several horses boasting strong pedigrees and recent form. Poster, California Burrito, and Baby Max stand out as top contenders based on their consistency and class. Maximum Promise and Final Gambit also bring strong credentials and could pose a threat. The race is likely to favor horses with tactical speed and the ability to handle the 1 1/8-mile distance on the all-weather track.
This stakes race promises to deliver thrilling action as these talented three-year-olds vie for the $489,510 winner’s share of the purse.
