What are Jeff Ruby Steaks?
The Jeff Ruby Steaks is an annual Grade III horse race held at Turfway Park in Florence, Kentucky. It is run over 1 1/8 miles on a synthetic surface and serves as a key prep race for the Kentucky Derby.
The race is open to three-year-olds and offers significant prize money, with the 2024 purse set at $700,000. It's also popular in online horse betting as many wager on the outcomes leading up to the Derby.
When do the Jeff Ruby Steaks take place in 2025?
The Jeff Ruby Steaks will take place on March 30. This race is highly anticipated as it acts as a stepping stone for horses aiming to compete in the Kentucky Derby, making it a prominent event in the horse racing and online horse betting calendar.
Jeff Ruby Steaks Winners
The Jeff Ruby Steaks has had many notable winners throughout its history. One of the most iconic winners was Animal Kingdom, who won in 2011 before going on to win the Kentucky Derby. Other memorable horses include Hansel in 1991, who went on to win the Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes, and Serena's Song in 1995, a filly that became one of the most successful racehorses of her time.
More recent winners like Two Phil's (2023) and Endlessly (2024) continue the legacy, but older champions often stand out as favorites in online horse betting discussions.
| Year | Winner | Jockey | Trainer | Owner | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD |
| 2024 | Endlessly | Umberto Rispoli | Michael W. McCarthy | Amerman Racing | 1:50.15 |
| 2023 | Two Phil's | Jareth Loveberry | Larry Rivelli | Patricia's Hope & Philip Sagan | 1:49.03 |
| 2022 | Tiz The Bomb | Brian Hernandez Jr. | Kenneth G. McPeek | Magdalena Racing | 1:48.60 |
| 2021 | Like the King | Drayden Van Dyke | Wesley A. Ward | M. Racing Group | 1:50.22 |
| 2020 | Field Pass | Irad Ortiz Jr. | Michael J. Maker | Three Diamonds Farm | 1:49.34 |
The Jeff Ruby Steaks has grown in significance over the years due to its status as a prep race for the Kentucky Derby. Horses that perform well in this race often go on to compete in the Derby, and in some cases, like Animal Kingdom in 2011, they win the Derby itself. This historical importance adds to the race's allure in online horse betting, as bettors watch closely for potential Derby contenders.
