By Joe Quillen
Saturday 3/23/24 – Turfway Park Race 12 (Jeff Ruby Steaks)
Saturday is the main event for the Turfway Park season, and their big race is the Jeff Ruby Steaks, which will award 200 points (100 to winner, 50 to runner up, 25 for third, 15 for fourth, 10 for fifth), and just like the Louisiana Derby, will give a few runners a ticket to Louisville for the Kentucky Derby.
Compared to the Fair Grounds, it will be chillier, but with a synthetic track, we will have a fast track no matter the weather conditions. We have an overflow field of14 horses with 12 heading to the gate for this major prep race which heads to the gate at approximately 6:25 pm Eastern time.
The 13 Circle P (30/1 morning line) is cross entered for the ninth race at Laurel in the Private Terms. But the weather is going to be horrible all up and down the east coast, with Aqueduct already cancelling. Does Circle P’s connections pray for a scratch?
The 14 Triple Espresso is cross entered with the Louisiana Derby, but he’s guaranteed to run there if he shows up. There’s no guarantee at Turfway. Now let’s look at the main body of the field for the Jeff Ruby Steaks (and yes, that is spelled right).
On the rail is the 1 Freedom Principle (30/1 ML, 0 Kentucky Derby points) hasn’t shown much since he returned from his layoff in February. He has run every well on the synthetic at Gulfstream Park, but there wasn’t that much in those first four races. But he does appear to like synthetic.
The 2 Dancing Groom (20/1 ML, 10 KYD points) has not shown that much since his return. This is the third race off the layoff, but he wasn’t showing that much in stakes company after be broke his maiden.
The 3 Lucky Jeremy (8/1 ML, 6 KYD points) ran well in the Sunland Derby but he could not hold his lead in the Sunland Derby. He’s going to go for the lead here like he has tried in all four races.
The 4 Noted (10/1 ML, 0 KYD points) was wide in his last race but did not do that much. He has shown his closing kick in his turf races. Will that translate to the synthetic track today?
The 5 Agate Road (7/2 ML, 10 KYD points) is cross entered for the Louisiana Derby, and I think he would run here. He is a consistent closer, and he will be flying at the end here.
The 6 Northern Flame (5/1 ML, 18 KYD points) may be challenging Lucky Jeremy on the lead here. All his races previously have been on the dirt, so it will be interesting to see if he can transition to the synthetic.
The 7 Woodcourt (8/1 ML, 0 KYD points) does have a win under his belt at Turfway, but he comes in after tiring in the Rebel at Oaklawn. He looks to be closer to the pace, but I don’t think he’s dueling with anyone up front.
The 8 Otello (15/1 ML, 0 KYD points) got bumped around some in the Holy Bull at Gulfstream about six weeks ago, but I don’t think he was going to beat Hades, Domestic Product or Fierceness even with a clean trip. That race could be a race to toss, as he has shown that he could be a couple of lengths behind.
The 9 Seize the Grey (6/1 ML, 2 KYD points) is second race off of the layoff and comes in wining at Oaklawn in an allowance optional claimer. Once again, another first timer on synthetic but he does have a nice kick.
The 10 Endlessly (5/2 morning line favorite, 0 KYD points) takes the logical next step after winning the El Camino Real at Golden Gate Fields on their synthetic track. He is the only horse to go today’s distance of 9 furlongs, which could be a big advantage today.
The 11 Baytown Chatterbox (50/1 ML) ran half of today’s distance at Charles town last month and couldn’t win. Maybe the distance helps, but this is the perfect definition of the term “race filler” that I tend to use from time to time amongst friends.
Finally, the 12 West Saratoga (20/1 ML, 17 KYD points) has not won since winning the Iroquois at Churchill in September. He is third race off of the layoff, but he has not shown much in his return races in the Pasco and Sam F. Davis at Tampa Bay Downs. He could be gunning for the lead here today from the outside post.
In the end, I think experience matters. Endlessly has won on synthetic and at today’s distance. Get his stall ready at Churchill. I’ll call this 10-9-5-8 and my play is $20 to win on the 10. Good luck everyone!
Saturday Specials
There may be other specials that your favorite advance deposit wagering platform may offer, but here are the ones that I found on Twinspires and TVG which focus on Fair Grounds and Turfway on Saturday. You do have to opt in to any or all of these promotions.
Twinspires
- There are Money Back wagers on Twinspires for races 10 & 12 at Turfway, and Race 12 at Fair Grounds. You get a max refund of $!0 if your horse finishes second or third. Accounts will be credited on Monday.
- There is a 15% boost on all winning win, exacta, trifecta and superfecta wagers on all races. Max bonus is $25, and races must have at least 5 horses running. Good for all races at Fair Grounds and Turfway on Saturday. Accounts will be credited on Monday.
- There is a “Bayou Bluegrass Pick 5” on Saturday. Races are Fair Grounds (FG) race 9, Turfway Park (TP) race 11, FG race 11, TP race 12, FG race 12. Anyone who opts in and hits this special pick 5 on Twinspires splits a $5,000 prize pool with other winners. Accounts will be credited on Monday.
- There is a $2,000 Fair Grounds Hit It & Split it promotion. This is for Fair Ground’s late pick 5. Winners betting on Twinspires platform split the pot. Accounts will be credited on Monday.
TVG
- TVG has their Money Back Special on the Jeff Ruby Steaks and the Louisiana Derby (FG race 12). Have to opt in, and you will get up to $10 back if your horse finishes second or third. Usually the return on the credit is quicker than Twinspires.
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