Jeff Ruby Steaks

Amerman Racing's Stark Contrast (Caravaggio), runner-up in both the GIII Jeff Ruby Steaks Mar. 21 and the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf last fall, is more likely to target the GI American Turf S. than the GI Kentucky Derby. Both races are run at Churchill Downs May 2. He currently has 50 qualifying points for the Derby. "He may win on the first Saturday in May, I don't think it'll be in the Kentucky Derby," trainer Michael McCarthy said on At the Races with Steve Byk. "Being by Caravaggio out...

Fulleffort (Liam's Map), a rallying second in both of the local preps, punched his ticket to the Kentucky Derby with a powerful win in Saturday's GIII Jeff Ruby Steaks at Turfway Park. Favored at 9-5, the Leonatus S. and John Battaglia Memorial S. runner-up raced in ninth through fractions of :23.18 and :47.16. The gray began to wind up beneath Irad Ortiz, Jr. on the far turn, came rolling up four wide approaching the quarter pole and kept on motoring down the stretch, finishing up in a field-best :12.99 to...

Volendam (Vekoma), a $600,000 Keeneland September yearling purchase by John Stewart's Resolute Racing, kicked off his career with a good-looking debut win on Jeff Ruby Steaks day at Turfway Park. The 2-1 favorite challenged for early command from his inside draw, then eased back to fourth through an opening quarter in :22.10. Caught in some traffic approaching the quarter pole, he was guided into the clear by Irad Ortiz, Jr. at the top of the stretch and came charging home to win by two lengths over Mr. Vaggio (Caravaggio). The...

Golden Tempo (Curlin), third in the GII Fasig-Tipton Risen Star S. Feb. 14, will race with first-time blinkers in Saturday's GII TwinSpires.com Louisiana Derby at Fair Grounds. The Phipps Stable and St. Elias Stable homebred and 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard' was an eye-catching, come-from-behind winner of his first two career starts, including the GIII Lecomte S. Jan. 17. He rallied from seventh to complete the trifecta in the Risen Star, finishing six lengths behind Paladin (Gun Runner). "He made a really nice run in the Risen Star and...

TDN's Senior Racing Editor Steve Sherack provides analysis for Saturday's pair of GI Kentucky Derby preps--the GII TwinSpires.com Louisiana Derby at Fair Grounds and GIII Jeff Ruby Steaks at Turfway Park. Results (Weekend of Feb. 28) - Commandment (Into Mischief) ($6.80 winner of GII Coolmore Fountain of Youth) and Class President (Uncle Mo) ($19.00 winner of GII Rebel) made it a profitable weekend at the windows for this column, both delivering wins in dramatic fashion. Hammond (Charlatan), meanwhile, was a disappointing sixth at 8-1 in the GIII Gotham. GII TwinSpires.com...

Juddmonte homebred Final Gambit (c, 3, Not This Time--Pachinko, by Tapit), an impressive last-to-first maiden winner at third asking at Turfway Park Feb. 15, ran by them all once again to pull off a 15-1 upset in Saturday's GIII Jeff Ruby Steaks in Florence, good for 100 points on the road to the GI Kentucky Derby. Flying Mohawk (Karakontie {Jpn}), a winner of two straight on grass, was a good second. Maximum Promise (Maximum Security) was third. Final Gambit was bumped at the start and broke in a tangle and...

A year after recording a GII TwinSpires.com Louisiana Derby-GII Fasig-Tipton Fair Grounds Oaks double with Catching Freedom and Tarifa, trainer Brad Cox will saddle the morning-line favorites in both races Saturday. The rail-drawn John Hancock (Constitution), a game wire-to-wire winner over next-out GIII Lambholm South Tampa Bay Derby winner Owen Almighty (Speightstown) in the Sam F. Davis Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs Feb. 8, will put his two-for-two record on the line in the Louisiana Derby. The WinStar Farm and CHC, Inc. colorbearer is the 7-2 program favorite. The stretch-running...

TDN's Senior Racing Editor Steve Sherack provides analysis for Saturday's pair of GI Kentucky Derby preps--the GII TwinSpires.com Louisiana Derby and GIII Jeff Ruby Steaks. GII TwinSpires.com Louisiana Derby - After being offered in a pair of maiden claimers at two, #9 Instant Replay (Maximum Security) really elevated his game for Brad Cox in his 3-year-old debut, closing impressively (albeit into a hot pace) from last of six to win with authority (came home in :31) by five lengths in an optional claimer at Fair Grounds Feb. 17. He should...

Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance will be present at Turfway Park for the GIII Jeff Ruby Steaks Saturday, March 22, the organization announced Wednesday. Turfway Park will highlight accredited aftercare throughout the event including Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance, who will be honored with a named race. Following the conclusion of the race, a presentation will be made to the winning connections, which will include a Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance blanket and gift bag. "Turfway Park is excited to welcome back Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance for our Jeff Ruby Steaks Day," said Tyler B. Picklesimer, Director...

MGSW and GI Kentucky Derby runner up Two Phil's (Hard Spun) was represented by his first foal Friday. The filly, bred by Meredith Krupp and Phillip Sagan Racing LLC, is out of the mare Makin' Sense (Street Sense). "She has great bone and really good size," said co-breeder Meredith Krupp who owns Pine Branch Farm where the filly was born. "Very happy with her and thrilled for the Sagan family." Two Phil's retired to stud with five wins from 10 career starts, having amassed earnings of $1,583,450. Bred in Kentucky...

Amerman Racing's Endlessly (Oscar Performance) breezed an easy four furlongs in :49.60 (78/111) over the Churchill Downs main track Saturday morning, his first move since taking the GIII Jeff Ruby Steaks at Turfway Park Mar. 23. The homebred could make his next appearance in the $5-million GI Kentucky Derby on May 4, which would mark his first start on the dirt. Working outside of his multiple stakes-placed stablemate Blue Eyed George (Flameaway) and with exercise rider Walter Davila in the irons, Endlessly remained on even terms for the majority of...

After declaring that Endlessly (Oscar Performance) would bypass the GI Kentucky Derby in favor of the GII American Turf, also run at Churchill Downs, the connections have reconsidered their options and are now "leaning" toward running in the Derby. "We're going to go ahead and see what happens here over the next few weeks," trainer Michael McCarthy said. "[Owner] Mr. [John] Amerman would like to keep all his options open." Endlessly earned enough points to qualify for the Derby when winning the GIII Jeff Ruby Steaks at Turfway Park in...