Jeff Ruby Steaks (GIII)

Turfway Park • Florence, KY, USA 100-50-25-15-10
March 22, 2025

Jeff Ruby Steaks Race History

In 2021, the Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3) was elevated to a major qualifier in the Road to the Kentucky Derby series, one of eight races offering points on a 100-50-25-15-10 scale to the top five finishers toward a Kentucky Derby (G1) berth.

The 1 1/8-mile race on Turfway Park’s Tapeta is the only major qualifier held over a synthetic track, and it immediately proved its worth, producing Kentucky Derby winner Rich Strike in 2022 and runner-up Two Phil’s in 2023.

Inaugurated in 1972 as the Latonia Spiral S., the race underwent six name changes (including twice going back to Spiral) before becoming the Jeff Ruby Steaks in 2018.

It’s been a Kentucky Derby qualifier since the points system began in 2013, and Turfway installed a synthetic surface in 2015, utilizing a Polytrack surface before switching to Tapeta.

The Jeff Ruby Steaks boasts a proud history, producing its first Kentucky Derby winner in 1992, Lil E. Tee. Animal Kingdom became the second in 2011.

Other notables include Hall of Famer Serena’s Song, who defeated Kentucky Derby runner-up Tejano Run when capturing the 1995 edition. She’s the only filly to win the Jeff Ruby Steaks. Preakness (G1) winner Hansel established the stakes record, speeding nine furlongs in 1:46.60 in 1991.

Preakness winners Summer Squall (1990) and Prairie Bayou (1993) also captured the Jeff Ruby Steaks, as well as Grade 1-winning millionaires and Kentucky Derby third-placers Broad Brush (1986) and Perfect Drift (2002). Flower Alley went on to win the Travers (G1) and finished second in the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) after his 2005 victory, and Hard Spun finished second in the Kentucky Derby and Breeders’ Cup Classic following his 2007 triumph.

Hall of Famer Pat Day leads all jockeys with five wins, and William E. Adams established the trainer mark with seven wins.

TwinSpires Staff/TwinSpires.com

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Road to the Kentucky Derby

Gun Runner

December 21, 2024

Fair Grounds • New Orleans, LA, USA

Points: 10-5-3-2-1

Jerome

January 4, 2025

Aqueduct • New York, NY, USA

Points: 10-5-3-2-1

Smarty Jones

January 4, 2025

Oaklawn Park • Hot Springs, AR, USA

Points: 10-5-3-2-1

Lecomte (GIII)

January 18, 2025

Fair Grounds • New Orleans, LA, USA

Points: 20-10-6-4-2

Southwest (GIII)

January 25, 2025

Oaklawn Park • Hot Springs, AR, USA

Points: 20-10-6-4-2

Withers (GIII)

February 1, 2025

Aqueduct • New York, NY, USA

Points: 20-10-6-4-2

Robert B. Lewis (GIII)

February 1, 2025

Santa Anita Park • Arcadia, CA, USA

Points: 20-10-6-4-2

Holy Bull (GIII)

February 1, 2025

Gulfstream Park • Hallandale Beach, FL, USA

Points: 20-10-6-4-2

Sam F. Davis (GIII)

February 8, 2025

Tampa Bay Downs • Tampa, FL, USA

Points: 20-10-6-4-2

Risen Star (GII)

February 15, 2025

Fair Grounds • New Orleans, LA, USA

Points: 50-25-15-10-5

Hyacinth

February 16, 2025

Tokyo Racecourse • Tokyo, Japan

Points: 30-15-9-6-3

Sunland Derby (GIII)

February 16, 2025

Sunland Park • Sunland Park, NM, USA

Points: 20-10-6-4-2

John Battaglia Memorial

February 22, 2025

Turfway Park • Florence, KY, USA

Points: 20-10-6-4-2

Rebel (GII)

February 22, 2025

Oaklawn Park • Hot Springs, AR, USA

Points: 50-25-15-10-5

Road to the Kentucky Derby Condition Stakes

February 26, 2025

Kempton • Sunbury-on-Thames, England, UK

Points: 20-10-6-4-2

Patton

February 28, 2025

Dundalk • Dundalk, County Louth, Ireland

Points: 20-10-6-4-2

Fountain of Youth (GII)

March 1, 2025

Gulfstream Park • Hallandale Beach, FL, USA

Points: 50-25-15-10-5

San Felipe (GII)

March 1, 2025

Santa Anita • Arcadia, CA, USA

Points: 50-25-15-10-5

Gotham (GIII)

March 1, 2025

Aqueduct • New York, NY, USA

Points: 50-25-15-10-5

Tampa Bay Derby (GII)

March 8, 2025

Tampa Bay Downs • Tampa, FL, USA

Points: 50-25-15-10-5

Virginia Derby

March 15, 2025

Colonial Downs • New Kent, VA, USA

Points: 50-25-15-10-5

Fukuryu

March 22, 2025

Nakayama • Funabashi, Chiba, Japan

Points: 40-20-12-8-4

Louisiana Derby (GII)

March 22, 2025

Fair Grounds • New Orleans, LA, USA

Points: 100-50-25-15-10

Jeff Ruby Steaks (GIII)

March 22, 2025

Turfway Park • Florence, KY, USA

Points: 100-50-25-15-10

Arkansas Derby (GI)

March 29, 2025

Oaklawn Park • Hot Springs, AR, USA

Points: 100-50-25-15-10

Florida Derby (GI)

March 29, 2025

Gulfstream Park • Hallandale Beach, FL, USA

Points: 100-50-25-15-10

UAE Derby (GII)

April 5, 2025

Meydan Racecourse • Dubai, UAE

Points: 100-50-25-15-10

Santa Anita Derby (GI)

April 5, 2025

Santa Anita Park • Arcadia, CA, USA

Points: 100-50-25-15-10

Blue Grass (GI)

April 5, 2025

Keeneland • Lexington, KY, USA

Points: 100-50-25-15-10

Wood Memorial (GII)

April 5, 2025

Aqueduct • New York, NY, USA

Points: 100-50-25-15-10

Lexington (GIII)

April 12, 2025

Keeneland • Lexington, KY, USA

Points: 20-10-6-4-2

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