Tipsheet: Jeff Ruby Steaks 2023

A well-matched field of 12 three-year-olds will travel 1 1/8 miles on the synthetic strip at Turfway Park in Saturday’s $700,000 Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3). The 2023 Road to the Kentucky Derby challenge series tilt will reward the top-five finishers with qualifying points on a 100-40-30-20-10 structure.

Jeff Ruby Steaks Picks

• #11 Wadsworth
• #1 Major Dude
• #10 Two Phil’s
• #2 Scoobie Quando

Jeff Ruby Steaks Wagers

• $15 win and place: #11 Wadsworth
• $10 exacta: box 1-11
• 50-cent trifecta: box 1, 2, 10, 11

Jeff Ruby Steaks Contenders

#1 MAJOR DUDE: The Bolt d’Oro colt is a two-time graded stakes winner who comes off a fine tally in the grassy Kitten’s Joy S. (G3) at Gulfstream Park. The $550,000 yearling purchase has displayed a fine turn of foot from his pair of outings this campaign, and rates a big chance if he takes to the surface change on Saturday. Irad Ortiz has the assignment.

#2 SCOOBIE QUANDO: The Ben Colebrook trainee has run a trio of very good races on the oval to begin his career and figures to appreciate the added distance in his graded bow. The John Battaglia Memorial runner-up got a nice post slot to save ground early and will aim to run them down late. Luan Machado is in the stirrups.

#3 EVENT DETAIL: The City of Light colt will add blinkers for Paulo Lobo. The expensive weanling purchase has run the best two races of his career at Turfway Park and could be dangerous if he moves forward with the equipment change. Walter Rodriguez has the call.

#4 FUNTASTIC AGAIN: This talented three-year-old from the Wesley Ward shedrow has led at every call in two straight facile wins at the meeting and could be the one to catch in the deep cast. The Funtastic chestnut made easy work of his Leonatus S. foes at one mile most recently and wouldn’t be a surprise with continued improvement under Gerardo Corrales.

#5 MAKER’S CANDY: Mike Maker's Twirling Candy colt has displayed ability on the dirt in the Empire State and will transfer to the All-Weather while also going two turns for the first time. The $200,000 juvenile purchase has early speed and could be any kind at nine furlongs for a conditioner who has enjoyed success in this race in the past. Umberto Rispoli comes in to guide the bay.

#6 BABY BILLY: Jack Sisterson's pupil graduated last time out in his turf bow and will put the blinkers back on for his graded stakes debut. The Gormley gelding was dusted in his lone stakes try to date and will need a career-best effort to challenge for the upset on this occasion.

#7 BLUEBIRDS OVER: The Grey S. (G3) winner gave way late in his seasonal debut on the lawn and should improve second time off the bench for Saffie Joseph. The bay son of English Channel will bring pace to the pace and figures to be well placed turning for home beneath Edgard Zayas.

#8 CONGRUENT: The Antonio Sano trainee came from well back to take the John Battaglia Memorial in going-away fashion in his latest performance. The gray son of Tapit posted a useful five-eighths drill in advance of his second local try, and the bay will have a lot of pace to rally into late with Sonny Leon in the stirrups.

#9 ESCAPOLOGIST: Kenny McPeek's Good Magic colt graduated in his first grassy endeavor at Fair Grounds last time out but needs a major move forward to make the frame against this field. He will be rallying from off the pace in the hands of Alex Achard.

#10 TWO PHIL’S: A consistently good colt from the Larry Rivelli barn, he will try the All-Weather for the first time here. The Grade 3 winner comes off top-three performances in the Risen Star S. (G2) and Lecomte S. (G3), and he will be a factor if he thrives on the synthetic beneath Jareth Loveberry.

#11 WADSWORTH: My top pick has shown marked improvement since Brad Cox brought him to this venue with two consecutive dominant tallies as of late. The gelded son of Quality Road will make his third run off the layoff, and he has proven to have the versatility to prosper from either on or off the pace. Chris Landeros retains the mount. 

#12 POINT PROVEN: The $675,000 son of Gun Runner draws widest in the event for Pletcher. The bay has yet to try anything but the dirt, but he loves the trip and could be dangerous at a nice price with a sensible trip under John Velazquez.