BETTING GUIDE:
JEFF RUBY STEAKS
In one of the best puns in all of horse racing, maybe in sports, The Jeff Ruby Steaks (that’s correct) returns to live racing with fans since 2019.
Will we be introduced to a future Kentucky Derby champion on Saturday? Todd Pletcher’s Major Dude hopes so.
During this time, Turfway Park Racing & Gaming, owned by Churchill Downs, has undergone a $145 million renovation. This also includes a new Event Center, where VIPs will gather on Saturday, March 25, 12:45 pm to watch a day of racing including the Prelude to the Kentucky Derby.
General admission ($25) and VIP tickets (start at $249) are still available at Ticketmaster.
For those of you betting at home, check out the TwinSpires app as your source.
Running over 1 1/8 miles on the synthetic Tapeta track, the Jeff Ruby once again has attracted a top field of talented three-year-olds. This year a dozen Thoroughbreds will be vying for the 170 Road to the Kentucky Derby qualification points set to be distributed on a 100-40-20-10 basis to the top four finishers.
At Tuesday’s Draw Luncheon, Mike Battaglia, the track’s oddsmaker, shared some insight along with the pole positions. He reminisced about last year’s Kentucky Derby winner Rich Strike, who finished third at the Jeff Ruby Steaks and went on to win the Derby at 80-1 odds.
(Odds as of March 21, 2023)
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Todd Pletcher’s horse is the favorite with odds of 2:1. Jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. will be aboard.
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Locals might want to snack on Ben Colebrook’s horse who is running well with Tuesday odds at 15:1 with Luan Machado aboard.
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Paulo Lobo’s long shot is at 20:1 with jockey Walter Rodriguez.
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Wesley Ward’s horse has won his last two races and comes in at 6:1. Jockey Gerardo Corrale has the ride.
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The 12:1 long shot is trained by Michael Maker with jockey Umberto Rispoli. Statistically, the winningest pole position is the five, but this doesn’t mean it’s the best position for every horse or race.
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Jockey Joe Talamo will have the field’s second largest longshot, trained by Jack Sisterson with early odds at 30-1.
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Trainer Saffie Joseph Jr.’s horse was a winner in 2022 earning first place in both of his races. Edgard Zayas has the ride at 12:1
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Last year’s Derby winning jockey, Sonny Leon, will be aboard another Ruby contender with early odds at 5:1.
Congruent scored an impressive 3 ½-length victory in the John Battaglia Memorial in early March of this year at Turfway.
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Your second largest long shot at 30:1, Escapologist will have Alex Achar aboard Kenny McPeek’s 3-year-old.
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Trained by Larry Rivelli, Two Phil's last seven races have been over dirt and the Jeff Ruby will be his first on Tapeta. Two Phil's arrived at Turfway March 13 and has been training daily over the Florence oval. Jockey Jareth Loveberry has the ride with early 7:2 odds.
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At 8:1, Chris Landeros will be aboard Wadsworth trained by Brad Cox.
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Pletcher’s second horse with John Velazquez on the mount has the early odds at 15:1.
Jockeys in the Field of the Jeff Ruby Steaks by 2023 Earnings and Winning Record*
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Top earning jockey in 2023 to date
2023 earnings total: $5,852,788
Percentage of wins in 2023: 27%
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2023 earnings total: $1,907,199
Percentage of wins in 2023: 16%
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2023 earnings total: $1,873,691
Percentage of wins in 2023: 20%
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2023 earnings total: $1,527,485
Percentage of wins in 2023: 38%
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2023 earnings total: $1,531,220
Percentage of wins in 2023: 46%
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2023 career earnings: $1,094,961
Percentage of wins in 2023: 42%
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2023 career earnings: $1,090,720
Percentage of wins in 2023: 45%
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2023 earnings total: $542,545
Percentage of wins in 2023: 32%
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2023 earnings total: $438,970
Percentage of wins in 2023: 31%
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2023 stats not available for these jockeys.
*Equibase