Lately, Turfway Park’s signature Kentucky Derby Introduced by Woodford Reserve prep race has grown in affect. 2022 Kentucky Derby upset winner Wealthy Strike and 2023 Derby runner-up Two Phils each obtained off to robust begins. jeff ruby steakand final 12 months’s Ruby winner Closing Gambit checked in for fourth place within the Derby.
The Grade 3 Stakes, held at Turfway’s all-weather Tapeta Footings observe, is a area of 12 racehorses, and whoever finishes first (100 qualifying factors) or second (50 factors) will successfully safe the best to race at Rose on Could 2nd.
55th Jeff Ruby Steak, named after the sponsor and Cincinnati-area restaurateur, will likely be broadcast dwell on FanDuel TV.
1. Turf Star: After 5 begins, every on a distinct grass course, they switched from grass to all-weather. He had a strong sixth place on the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf final fall, and completed sixth in his Gulfstream Park debut in 2026 regardless of a tough begin. Earlier than profitable the Kentucky Derby, Graham Movement received this race with Animal Kingdom in 2011, and Animal Kingdom’s Derby victory was ridden by John Velasquez. It is an ambition to recreate that twofer, however with the addition of blinkers, it is completely attainable to win this race.
Jockey: John Velazquez. coach: graham movement
2. Full energy: A half-brother to Grade 1 winner Energy Squeeze, this horse began from a close to miss within the John Battaglia Memorial Stakes at Turfway and got here again robust, however misplaced by a slim margin. The horse that beat him, Nice White, was not within the area and champion jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. flew in to experience him. Ortiz’s presence may decrease his odds in a while, and a few of Turfway’s newcomers are extra seasoned.
Jockey: Irado Ortiz Jr.; coach: brad cox
3. Baytown Dreamer: He began and completed second in his two preparation durations, incomes seven Kentucky Derby qualifying factors and most lately ending fourth within the John Battaglia Memorial at odds of 112.38-1. Doing it once more could be his best-case situation right here, however that appears unlikely.
Jockey: Orlando Boca Chica. coach: Paul McEntee
4. Two Out Hero: Though he was properly supported in his Turfway debut, he stumbled initially and missed the mark, ending ninth out of 11 horses at odds of 4.42 to 1. This was his season debut following a three-race, two-win efficiency at Woodbine final 12 months, together with a primary win by 12 lengths on the all-weather observe and a strong race with Argos, whom he meets once more right here. Battaglia has the expertise to bounce again from his misfortune and if he does, he’ll be part of the group.
Jockey: Gerardo Corrales. coach: Kevin Attard
5. Black Hornet: After 4 so-so begins on filth, his racing fortunes improved when he switched to grass, shortly racking up two wins at Fairgrounds, together with the Black Gold Stakes in his earlier race. It’s a horny lengthy shot play as it may be ignored on the tote board when in comparison with the steady opponent Cease the Automobile. Should be positioned ahead to this area.
Jockey: Declan Cannon. coach: brendan walsh
6. Medici: Avenge, a turf filly with a number of G1 wins, has posted back-to-back triple-digit Equibase pace numbers on the turf at Santa Anita Park and has emerged as a menace to win, together with her first win and the Pasadena Stakes, the place she set the tempo earlier than succumbing by a nostril. Jockey Mirco DeMuro heads to Turfway having ridden in all 5 begins on grass. With an excellent begin, he ought to be capable to lead the sector from begin to end.
Jockey: Mirco Demuro; coach: richard mandela
7. Finest Prime: In his earlier race, the John Battaglia Memorial, he beat odds of 88.50-1 and got here in third place, one quarter of a size behind second place Full Effort. He has completed ninth after which third prior to now two races at Turfway, so he can have an enormous aim right here.
Jockey: Joseph Ramos. coach: anthony mitchell
8. Chaos Agent: The charming Florida shipper has solely began as soon as, profitable by a size and a half at Gulfstream in early February. He began late and overcame a collision to emerge victorious. The primary race was held on the identical all-weather Tapeta Footings floor utilized by Turfway. If he improves within the second race, he may boost his unique prize with a top-three end, though a come-from-behind victory is unlikely.
Jockey: Joel Rosario. coach: josie carroll
9. Courageous Pressure: After having little success within the three races held on filth and grass in 2025, he was profitable in all three races this 12 months on Turfway’s all-weather observe. He continued to enhance, ending 4th in his first race, then third, and at last took his first win by 1 / 4 of a size. Geldings are extraordinarily properly bred for lengthy distances, however right here they face a troublesome problem.
Jockey: Vincent Cheminault. coach: jack sisterson
10. Argos: He was one of many prime two-year-old horses on turf primarily based in North America final summer time and fall, profitable the bet365.com Summer time Stakes at Woodbine after which ending eighth within the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf. In his 3-year-old debut, within the Colonel Liam S, a Gulfstream offspring, he didn’t carry out properly, ending fifth, however on this race he swapped trainers and grounds, and added a blinker.
Jockey: Luan Machado. coach: brad cox
11. Sharp distinction: One other California shipper, he may find yourself being a post-time favourite. He nearly pulled off a 58.20-1 upset within the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf, ending second to European favourite Gstaad by three-quarters of a size after being pressured to cease within the upperstretch. He then made a comeback in January, beating 4 opponents within the Eddie Logan Stakes on grass at Santa Anita. This will likely be his first begin after a two-month break, however Kazushi Kimura, who rides in all races, can even be making the journey.
Jockey: Kazushi Kimura; coach: michael mccarthy
12: Please cease the automotive: After a really spectacular win as a younger horse in 2025, he transitioned from filth to all-weather racing after a no-show seventh place within the Lecomte Stakes on the Fairgrounds in January. His pedigree is dirt-oriented, and the far outdoors submit place does not favor him both.
Jockey: Edgar Morales coach: brendan walsh
choose: sharp distinction
Stay lengthy shot: black hornet
fantastic: 11-4-5-6
