Meet the Contenders: 2025 Jeff Ruby Steaks
Poster winning the Remsen (G2) at Aqueduct (Photo by Coglianese Photos/Joe Labozzetta)
March 18th, 2025
Meet the horses running in the 2025 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.
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Calling Card wins at Aqueduct. (Photo by Coglianese Photo)
#1 Calling Card **
Pro: His very best form is possibly good enough to earn a minor slice.
Con: Made little impact in Lecomte (G3) and Gotham (G3); might need easier.
Charlie's to Blame wins the Kitten Joy at Gulfstream Park. (Photo by Coglianese Photo)
#2 Charlie’s to Blame ***
Pro: Gulfstream stakes winner could be tough if turf form transfers to Tapeta.
Con: Presumably would not want to get tangled up an early pace duel.
California Burrito winning the John Battaglia Memorial S. at Turfway Park (Photo by Coady Media/Turfway Park)
#3 California Burrito ***
Pro: Enters off back-to-back wins, including a game score in John Battaglia Memorial.
Con: Arguably benefited from setting a slow pace in both; perhaps tough to replicate.
🌯🌹 California Burrito takes the John Battaglia Memorial S. and picks up 20 Kentucky Derby points! @tomdruryracing trains the 3YO and @irvingjmoncada was aboard!
— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) February 23, 2025
🎥 TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/q5TXZgT2N4
Final Gambit wins at Turfway Park. (Photo by Coady Media)
#4 Final Gambit *
Pro: Handles surface just fine and hails from always dangerous Brad Cox barn.
Con: Taking big class leap off slowly run maiden score.
Flying Mohawk wins at Churchill Downs. (Photo by Coady Media)
#5 Flying Mohawk ***
Pro: Enters off two solid wins over the grass at Churchill, Fair Grounds.
Con: Like many in here, has surface questions to answer.
Baby Max wins the Leonatus Stakes at Turfway Park. (Photo by Coglianese Photo)
#6 Baby Max *****
Pro: Solid form here all winter and slow pace likely hurt in the Battaglia Memorial.
Con: Adds blinkers, but will they help or hurt?
Giocoso wins at Ellis Park (Photo by Coady Media)
#7 Giocoso **
Pro: Ran no kind of race in Risen Star (G2); capable of better.
Con: Needs career best and over a surface he has yet to try.
Innovator wins at Oaklawn Park. (Photo by Coady Media)
#8 Innovator **
Pro: Speedy colt ran well below par in Rebel (G2) last time; drawing a line through that.
Con: Still not convinced nine furlongs is a distance he’ll excel over.
Poster winning the Remsen (G2) at Aqueduct (Photo by Coglianese Photos/Joe Labozzetta)
#9 Poster *****
Pro: Remsen (G2) winner class of the field; can improve off season debut.
Con: Won both tries on turf, but will that translate to synthetic success?
Maximum Promise wins at Ellis Park. (Photo by Coady Media)
#10 Maximum Promise ***
Pro: Rallied to land third in the Battaglia Memorial after a poor start.
Con: Has shown little early foot outside maiden win.
Curvino wins at Oaklwan Park. (Photo by Coady Media)
#11 Curvino *
Pro: Consistent check-getter for a barn that can surprise at times.
Con: Has a lot of catching up to do from class, speed rating perspective.
He's Not Joking wins the Grey S. (G3) at Woodbine. (Photo by Michael Burns Photo)
#12 He’s Not Joking ****
Pro: Based on his Woodbine form, should appreciate the return to his preferred surface.
Con: Even considering the surface, two tries outside Canada were rather dull.
TwinSpires
#13 Candytown **
Pro: Didn’t lose by much in either start and turf form might transfer to synthetic.
Con: Maiden concedes experience in several categories and is currently on the AE list.
