The Latest Expert Picks and Analysis for the Jeff Ruby Steaks

Run on a synthetic surface and also the winter circuit for Kentucky Thoroughbred racing, Turfway has always held some questions on relevancy. In the history of the Spiral and previous prep when Latonia Racetrack was running, several strong contenders in the last 15 years has kept the race worth a set of points towards a Kentucky Derby start.

Jeff Ruby Steaks Results & Odds Payouts

Exotic Payoffs:

• $2.00 Exacta (10-12): $133.22
• $0.50 Trifecta (10-12-9): $251.46
• $0.10 Superfecta (10-12-9-14): $316.36

Jeff Ruby Steaks History, formally the Spiral Stakes

The Jeff Ruby Steaks is the most important Derby prep race held on an artificial track. First held in 1972, the Turfway Park feature is always a good contest. The race has been a part of the Road to the Kentucky Derby series since it began in 2013. However, for the 2018 edition it became less valuable in that series, with the points available being downgraded from 50-20-10-5 for the first four home to 20-8-4-2. In 2021, the points awarded to the finishers increased dramatically to the 100-40-20-10 scale, giving the winner an incredible boost towards qualifying for Derby. Finally in 2023, the points were adjusted once again to award points to the first five finishers (100-40-30-20-10). Currently, the Jeff Ruby Steaks offers 100-50-25-15-10 points to the first five respectively. 

Though it was not an important Classic guide in its early years, the race became very important for a four-year stretch in the early 1990s, when three of its victors – Summer Squall, Lil E. Tee, and Prairie Bayou – would go on to win Classics. Other notable winners were Broad Brush, Serena’s Song, Stephen Got Even, and Flower Alley.

Since Turfway Park was changed to an artificial track in 2006, the race has become less important as a Derby guide, though its winners include 2007 Derby third-place finisher Hard Spun and 2011 winner Animal Kingdom. None of the winners since Animal Kingdom have made a great impact on Derby day.

Jeff Ruby Stakes Historical Results and Winners