Wide-Open Race in Jeff Ruby Steaks

It has gone by a number of names over the years, but Turfway's GI Kentucky Derby prep, now called the GIII Jeff Ruby Steaks, drew a well-matched bunch for its 2018 renewal Saturday. Hazit (War Front), co-favored at 5-1 on the morning line, is one of two chances for Todd Pletcher to take his fourth running of this event. A gate-to-wire debut winner at Saratoga in August over eventual champion Good Magic (Curlin), the $430,000 OBSMAR grad was fifth in the GI Champagne S. and a distant eighth in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile. He returned at Tampa Feb. 18 to be second going seven panels on the dirt, but will now get back on synthetic for the first time since breezing in a steady :10 1/5 for the sale in Ocala. Pletcher also saddles Pony Up (Aikenite), who just missed by a neck in the grassy Kitten's Joy S. behind subsequent GIII Sam F. Davis S. winner and GII Tampa Bay Derby runner-up Flameaway (Scat Daddy) two back at Gulfstream Jan. 6. He was a far-back fifth behind stablemate Audible (Into Mischief) in the GII Holy Bull S. Feb. 3. Pony Up's sire did some of his best work on the old Poly at Keeneland. Mark Casse trainee Ride a Comet (Candy Ride {Arg}) is the other runner quoted at 5-1. He broke through fourth out in a sloppy, rained-off route at Fair Grounds Dec. 17, and was a convincing optional claiming winner on the grass there Jan. 6. The Mark Casse trainee is another who has a right to take to Polytrack. Many of his sire's progeny have done well over synthetic surfaces, and he brought $375,000 at OBS April after an unblinkered move in :10 flat. Archaggelos (Temple City), a half-brother to dual classic winner Big Brown (Boundary), annexed Woodbine's GIII Grey S. on the Tapeta in October but hasn't been seen since finishing fifth in that venue's Display S. Dec. 2. Lightly raced Magicalmeister (Bodemeister) upset the local John Battaglia Memorial S. Feb. 23 at 39-1, and the second and third-place finishers from that same heat also return here.