Tipsheet: 2025 Jeff Ruby Steaks
Poster winning the Remsen (G2) at Aqueduct (Photo by Coglianese Photos/Joe Labozzetta)
March 20th, 2025
A deep cast of 13 sophomores will travel nine panels over the Tapeta at Turfway Park in Saturday’s $777,000 Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3). The 2025 Road to the Kentucky Derby challenge series tilt will reward the first five across the wire with qualifying points on a 100-50-25-15-10 structure.
Jeff Ruby Steaks Picks
- #9 Poster
- #6 Baby Max
- #12 He’s Not Joking
- #2 Charlie’s to Blame
Jeff Ruby Steaks Wagers
Jeff Ruby Steaks Contenders
#1 CALLING CARD: Mike Maker trainee has gone unplaced in a pair of graded tries on the dirt as of late and will try the synthetic in this spot. The dark bay son of Complexity gets a good draw on the rail to save ground throughout the contest, but others have more appeal to me. Adam Beschizza has the call.
#2 CHARLIE’S TO BLAME: Interesting contender led throughout in the Kitten’s Joy at Gulfstream last time and has to be considered a contender on the move to the all weather. The $400,000 son of Blame has led throughout in two straight, and he will be in the hunt late if he can avoid a pace duel in the event with Juan Hernandez coming in to ride.
#3 CALIFORNIA BURRITO: Tom Drury pupil led at every call in eclipsing the Battaglia S. on the oval in his latest performance. The Army Mule colt has won two in succession on the course and can’t be overlooked in the well-matched cast with Irving Moncada retaining the ride.
#4 FINAL GAMBIT: Juddmonte homebred put in a good late run to graduate here most recently and will make his stakes debut in this one. The late runner faces a tough assignment in a big field, but he could rally for a piece if the pace breaks down in the stretch. Luan Machado has the call once again.
#5 FLYING MOHAWK: Top-three threat has improved his Brisnet Speed figure with each lifetime run and has won with authority in a pair of turf tilts in succession for Whit Beckman. The Karakontie colt is obviously talented with a big turn of foot, and if he gets the trip, then the colt might be in a challenging spot late under the guidance of Joe Ramos.
#6 BABY MAX: Win contender from the Kelsey Danner shedrow had a nice prep for this when a clear second in the Battaglia S. most recently. This Maximus Mischief colt has also upped his Speed number with each try and will race with blinkers on for the initial time in this endeavor. The versatile colt drilled a bullet half-mile leading up to this and will have Abel Cedillo on board.
#7 GIOCOSO: Not This Time colt was a non-factor in the Risen Star (G2), and while he will appreciate the surface change on Saturday, I will still side with others in the race. This Keith Desormeaux trainee will have Jaime Torres in the silks.
#8 INNOVATOR: D. Wayne Lukas charge tired after chasing a fast early tempo in the Rebel S. (G2) last time out and will make his first run on the synthetic in this spot. The dark bay son of Authentic finished a very good third in the Lecomte S. (G3) at Fair Grounds two back, and he will be in the hunt with something resembling that showing. Nik Juarez has the call.
#9 POSTER: Top pick kicked off his three-year-old season with a late-running third in the Sam F. Davis S. at Tampa Bay for conditioner Eoin Harty. The Godolphin homebred, who capped his unblemished two-year-old campaign with a game Remsen S. (G2) tally, will improve second off the layoff, and I have confidence that he will handle the surface transition, as well. John Velazquez coming in to ride is a major plus, too.
#10 MAXIMUM PROMISE: Kenny McPeek pupil was a useful third in the Battaglia S. in advance of this try and could be set for a forward move in his second race over the strip. The talented son of Maximum Security will receive a better pace to rally into against this field, and he is not without a chance in his third attempt since the summer. Frankie Dettori will be in the stirrups.
#11 CURVINO: Peter Miller trainee has displayed ability while in solid form as of late, but this appears to be an ambitious spot to make his stakes debut, however. The Vino Rosso colt would be a big surprise to me with Corrales in the irons.
#12 HE’S NOT JOKING: Dangerous contender for Josie Carroll was a daylight winner of the Grey S. (G3) over the Woodbine synthetic in his penultimate run as a juvenile and will improve second off the shelf with the return to an all-weather oval. The Practical Joke colt will have to overcome the wide post slot in the big group, but a positive showing is expected, nonetheless, with Rafael Hernandez coming in to ride.
#13 CANDYTOWN: Chestnut son of Speightstown has run well while second in each of his two assignments to date for trainer Todd Pletcher. The chestnut appears to be a nice prospect, but he will need a huge step forward to upset this cast if he draws into the main body of the field.
