Takeaways from 2024 Jeff Ruby Steaks

Mar 26, 2024 James Scully/TwinSpires.com

One of eight major qualifiers offering points on a 100-50-25-15-10 basis, the Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3) has had a significant impact upon the last two runnings of the Kentucky Derby (G1), producing 2022 upsetter Rich Strike and last year’s runner-up Two Phil’s. The 1 1/8-mile race is contested over the synthetic Tapeta track at Turfway Park, and 10 runners went to the starting gate for the 2024 edition of the Road to the Kentucky Derby series event on March 23.

Here are three takeaways from the Jeff Ruby.

Endlessly to bypass Derby after convincing win

A multiple Grade 3 scorer on turf last year, Endlessly was pointed toward a pair of synthetic stakes to open his three-year-old season, taking the Feb. 10 El Camino Real Derby at Golden Gate Fields prior to the Jeff Ruby, but trainer Michael McCarthy always planned to switch his charge back to turf. And that remains the plan following a dominant victory.

Endlessly left the starting gate as the 7-5 favorite and bided his time before launching a rally on the far turn, circling rivals and powering his way into a clear lead by midstretch. He cruised to the wire under Umberto Rispoli, winning by four lengths, and the son of Oscar Performance could be headed to the American Turf (G2) on the Kentucky Derby undercard.

#1 Endless kicks away to win R3 at Turfway Park for trainer Nancy Adams with Sara Hess in the irons! 🤩

🎥 #TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/FmcoTnnUOJ

— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) January 25, 2024

West Saratoga punches ticket

West Saratoga experienced a wide pressing trip from his far outside post and gamely got up for second in a tight battle, with second through sixth separated by less than a half-length on the wire, and he increased his point total to 67. That should guarantee him a spot in a 20-horse field on May 4.

He’s won or placed in eight of his last nine starts, and West Saratoga showed an affinity for Churchill Downs when capturing the first race in the Road to the Kentucky Derby series, the Iroquois (G3) last September.

The Larry Demeritte-trained colt has some appeal for the vertical exotics, but West Saratoga has yet to win around two turns and hasn’t run back to the 89 Brisnet Speed rating from the Iroquois in three starts this year.

Lexington an option for Seize the Grey

Seize the Grey rallied from just off the pace to miss second by a head, boosting his point total to 27, but he may need help to make the Kentucky Derby field if he stands pat. D. Wayne Lukas also will have the option to run back in the Lexington S. (G3) at Keeneland three weeks later (April 16) to try and gain the necessary qualifying points.

By Arrogate, Seize the Grey was bet down to 33-1 in Pool 5 of the Kentucky Future Wager after opening 2024 with an entry-level allowance win at Oaklawn Park in late February, and he will need to keep improving following a decent third in the Jeff Ruby.