$200k Jeff Ruby Steaks

$200,000 Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3)

Turfway Park

Race 11 (Saturday, March 9, 2019: 6:37 p.m./ET; 3:37 p.m./PT)
Mile and an eighth on the main track (three-year-olds)

Let’s ‘sink our teeth’ into the Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3) field of eleven, which offers 20 Kentucky Derby (G1) points to the winner:

#1 DYNAMIC RACER competed in the final local prep for this race, the John Battaglia Memorial, and finished second at 29/1 behind #10 SOMELIKEITHOTBROWN, who is the morning line favorite to win this race. Exotics contender.

#2 MOONSTER has finished double-digit lengths behind the winner in his last five races. Pass.

#3 FIVE STAR GENERAL won the Central Park Stakes at Aqueduct in November but put up an abysmal effort in his first start of 2019, finishing 13 lengths behind WELL DEFINED in the Tampa Bay Derby (G3) on February 9. His two best races have been on the lead, so expect him to show speed from the opening of the gates.

#4 DABO went off at 6/1 in the John Battaglia Memorial and finished third behind #10 SOMELIKEITHOTBROWN and #1 DYNAMIC RACER. He made up good ground late in that last start, which was at a mile-and-a-sixteenth, and he may benefit running an added sixteenth of a mile here.

#5 BAYTOWN JIMBO makes his first start in three months. His only win in eight career races came sprinting on turf at Kentucky Downs. Improvement is needed. #6 SKYWIRE is an undefeated son of AFLEET ALEX who most recently won an allowance race at Gulfstream over a sloppy surface by six lengths. One to consider.

#7 COUNTER OFFER finished 13 lengths behind WELL DEFINED in the Tampa Bay Derby (G3) last month. His only career victory came over turf, and good turf form usually transfers well to synthetics. That said, he’d need to run a career best race to win this.

#8 TWELFTHOFNEVERLAND won a starter allowance optional claimer at Aqueduct two starts ago and most recently lost by a nose at that same condition. Speed figures indicate he’s in with a chance.

#9 CURLIN GREY doesn’t have much early speed, so expect him to sit far behind and make one run. Ken McPeek trainee finished third in his most recent start, an allowance race in which he finished behind two well-regarded colts (GLOBAL CAMPAIGN and STANDARD DEVIATION). Possible.

#10 SOMELIKEITHOTBROWN was a romping winner of the John Battaglia Memorial last time out. We know he likes this track, owns tactical speed, and Tyler Gaffelione rides for trainer Mike Maker. The one to beat.

#11 SPEED APP is a maiden facing winners in this spot for trainer D. Wayne Lukas. Has had seven chances to break his maiden and hasn’t done so yet. No thanks.

SELECTIONS

1. #10 SOMELIKEITHOTBROWN – Highest money earner in the field.

2. #9 CURLIN GREY – Exits a good allowance race.

3. #6 SKYWIRE – Undefeated colt merits respect.

LONGSHOT VALUE PLAY- #3 FIVE STAR GENERAL – Wire to wire possibility.

WAGERING STRATEGY

I’ll box my top three picks in exactas and make a win bet on my longshot value play.  

BANKROLL PLAY ($50 Budget)

$5 Exacta Box: #10 SOMELIKEITHOTBROWN and #9 CURLIN GREY and #6 SKYWIRE ($30).

$20 Win: #3 FIVE STAR GENERAL