Meet the Contenders: 2024 Jeff Ruby Steaks
Triple Espresso (Photo by Coglianese Photography)
March 20th, 2024
Meet the horses running in the 2024 Jeff Ruby Steaks at Turfway Park. For each horse, we're listing a pro, a con, and a rating of potential. The star rating of 1 to 5 represents opportunity to perform well. Be sure to follow these contenders by adding them to your Stable Alerts.
Freedom Principle (Photo by Coglianes Photography / Credit to Lauren Photography)
#1 Freedom Principle ****
Pro: Stakes winner over Tapeta at Gulfstream in November; best to ignore interim turf losses.
Con: Inside trips did him little good in either of his last two.
Dancing Groom (Photo by Coglianese Photography)
#2 Dancing Groom **
Pro: Gets some modest class relief and picks up world-class Frankie Dettori in the saddle.
Con: Not a serious factor in any earlier Derby prep and new surface a question.
#5 Dancing Groom dances home in R2 at Saratoga under @iradortiz for trainer Antonio Sano! 💃
— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) August 19, 2023
This son of @spendthriftfarm stallion Vino Rosso improved while stretching out today in just his second start!
🎥 #TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/IlPBntl7ZV
Lucky Jeremy (Photo by Coady Photography)
#3 Lucky Jeremy **
Pro: Form has been consistent throughout and connections having a solid winter here.
Con: Nine furlongs might be a stretch for him, given his running style.
#5 Lucky Jeremy was lucky today and goes gate-to-wire in the opener at Churchill Downs under Gerardo Corrales for trainer William Morey! 🤩@scottshap34 is off to a good start with his #ExpertPicks!
— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) October 29, 2023
🎥 #TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/B1ucatryp8
Noted (Photo by Equi-Photo)
#4 Noted ***
Pro: Stakes winner on dirt and turf, probably can handle Tapeta too.
Con: Two of his last three races have been clunkers; recent inconsistency a problem.
#7 Noted stretches out and breaks his maiden in the opener at Saratoga for trainer Todd Pletcher and owner @RepoleStable with @iradortiz aboard! 🗒️
— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) July 22, 2023
🎥 #TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/JW6RRGacyr
Agate Road (Photo by Coglianese Photography)
#5 Agate Road ****
Pro: Consistent turf form suggests he should be at home on this surface.
Con: Speed figures don’t stand out and likely to be well backed.
#9 Agate Road gets his first stakes victory in the G2 Pilgram S. at Belmont for trainer Todd Plecher with @iradortiz aboard! 🏆
— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) October 4, 2023
Next stop: @breederscup!
✈️@repolestable
🎥 #TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/ekI1r6jynF
Northern Flame (Photo by Coady Photography)
#6 Northern Flame ***
Pro: Third in Rebel (G2) easily his best stakes attempt in three tries.
Con: Stamina will be tested if part of the early pace again.
#1 Northern Flame improves in his second start off the layoff in R8 at Oaklawn Park under @julienleparoux for trainer @kennymcpeek! 🔥@joesantos_33
— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) January 28, 2024
🎥 #TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/9L77P4DBZA
Woodcourt (Photo by Coady Photography)
#7 Woodcourt **
Pro: Well experienced colt won his last start here, albeit running for a tag.
Con: Likely needs a strong pace and that’s no guarantee in this field.
#4 Woodcourt stretches out and gets the win in R4 at Churchill Downs for trainer @brenpwalsh with @cristiantorr64 in the irons! 🍀
— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) September 30, 2023
The 2-year-old colt went off at 11/1!
🎥 #TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/sO9765x8MT
Otello wins the Mucho Macho Man (Photo by Coglianese Photography / Credit to Lauren King)
#8 Otello ***
Pro: Rough start, slow pace hurt him in Holy Bull (G3); capable of better.
Con: Given first two starts, might prefer one turn more than two.
Seize the Grey (Photo by Coglianese Photography)
#9 Seize the Grey **
Pro: Exits Oaklawn allowance win; might bloom late like his sire.
Con: Like others, hard to know how he’ll handle switch to synthetic surface.
#5 Seize the Grey wins the @oaklawnracing opener off the bench under @nikjuarez for trainer D. Wayne Lukas and owner @myracehorse! 🏆
— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) February 24, 2024
The 3-year-old colt went off at 5/1.
🎥 #TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/1rngaUSGlK
Endlessly (Photo by Benoit Photography)
#10 Endlessly *****
Pro: Enters with 4-for-5 record, including nice win in El Camino Real Derby.
Con: Wasn’t facing much at Golden Gate; sterner class test here.
Baytown Chatterbox (Photo by Coady Photography)
#11 Baytown Chatterbox *
Pro: Huge-price winner of Ellis Park Juvenile, albeit going short.
Con: Speed figures vastly inferior; would be a shock.
#9 Baytown Chatterbox pulls off a big upset in the Ellis Park Juvenile S., winning at 60/1! 💰
— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) August 13, 2023
The 2-year-old gelding by @DarleyStallions Street Sence is trained by @mcenteeracing and was ridden by Tyler Heard.
🎥 #TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/1xKvv6HUjv
West Saratoga (Photo by Coady Photography)
#12 West Saratoga **
Pro: Upset first Road to the Kentucky Derby series prep, though winless since.
Con: Exits slow preps at Tampa; hasn’t taken that step forward at three yet.
WEST SARATOGA holds on to win the Iroquois at 12-1! 🔥
— World Horse Racing (@WHR) September 16, 2023
We are off and running on the Road to the 150th @KentuckyDerby 🏆
🎥 @TwinSpires
pic.twitter.com/pt5T5ZbqIw
Turfway Park Racing (Coady Photo/Turfway Park)
#13 Circle P **
Pro: Running style suggests extra distance around two turns might agree with him.
Con: Has been facing softer in Maryland; tested for class.
Triple Espresso (Photo by Coglianese Photography)
#14 Triple Espresso ***
Pro: Didn’t get the best of trips in stakes debut last time; remains with upside.
Con: AE here but in main body of Louisiana Derby (G2) field on Saturday.
