By Matt Shifman and Bob Ehalt

The $777,777 Jeff Ruby (G3), Saturday, Turfway Park

Racce 12 – 6:25 p.m. EDT – The Jeff Ruby Steaks is also a [100-50-25-15-10] points qualifier on the road to the Kentucky Derby that drew a field of 12. A fast pace is expected and those speed horses will have to handle the increase to nine-furlongs on the Tapeta. (6) Baby Max was second in the Battlaglia Memorial in the first Derby prep at Turfway and won a stakes race before that. A fast pace is projected in the Jeff Ruby since there are a three speed horses with recent front-end victories. Expect Baby Max to sit a stalking trip. (3) California Burrito was the Battaglia winner with a front-end trip and won an allowance at Turfway before that also with early speed.  (9) Poster won the Remsen (G2) at Aqueduct on the Derby trail having won his first three starts. He was third in the Sam F. Davis to begin 2025. He had several recent workouts at Turfway Park and thus deserves serious consideration. (12) He’s Not Joking won the Grey Stakes (G3) on the Tapeta at Woodbine and then tried two starts on the dirt on the Derby trail. He had a recent work at Turfway. Betting strategy:  Exacta box: 3, 6, 9, 12.  Trifecta box: Exacta box: 3, 6, 9, 12.