Specifically, Turfway Park’s premier 3-year-old prep race for the Kentucky Derby, the Jeff Ruby Stakes, is 1 1/8 miles (9 furlongs). The race is run on Turfway’s synthetic main track. Previously, in 2005, Fair Grounds’ Kentucky Derby prep race was the Grade 2 Louisiana Derby for 3-year-olds at 1 1/8 miles (9 furlongs) on the dirt. 2009 winner Friesen Fire has the largest winning margin since 1976 at 7 ¼ lengths. Meanwhile, Clev Er Tell has the fastest winning time in that time frame at 1:48.80. This is a critical prep race weekend for the 2025 Kentucky Derby Odds.
2025 Jeff Ruby Stakes
| Date and Time: | Saturday, March 22, 2025 |
|---|---|
| Location: | Turfway Park |
| TV Coverage: | Check Listings |
| 2025 Jeff Ruby Stakes odds: | Click Here |
2025 Jeff Ruby Stakes SBG Odds Overview
Turfway Park became the first track in North America to install Polytrack, an all-weather product, as a racing surface. Correlate that with the installation of this all-weather surface, Turfway’s track condition is always officially listed as “fast.” In comparison, most tracks list wet, fast, good, muddy, sloppy, frozen, slow, and heavy.
In 2011 and 1992, Spiral Stakes victors Animal Kingdom and Lil E. Tee, respectively, went on to capture the roses in the Kentucky Derby. Additionally, other winners include Broad Brush, Summer Squall, Hansel, Prairie Bayou, Serena’s Song, and Perfect Drift.
Previously, the offshore betting race has been renamed several times in recent years as sponsors changed. Formerly it was known as the Spiral Stakes and was sponsored by a nearby casino from 2013-2017. And then it was renamed the Jeff Ruby Steaks in 2018 after restaurateur Jeff Ruby signed on as the sponsor.
California Burrito is a 3-year-old colt and has raced from 2024 to 2025. Also, he was sired by Army Mule out of the Hard Spun mare Bluegrass Sunset. Thomas Drury, Jr. trained him and has raced for Haberman, Aaron, and Haberman, Victoria. He was bred in Kentucky, United States, by Westbrook Stables LLC. Previously, California Burrito won at Churchill Downs and Turfway Park. He has a stakes win at the 2025 John Battaglia Memorial.
Namely, Charlie’s To Blame is a 3-year-old colt and has raced from 2024 to 2025. He was sired by Blame out of the Medaglia d’Oro mare Silent Bond. Peter Eurton trained him. Also, he has raced for BG Stables, Roadrunner Racing, SAF Racing, West Coast Stables, LLC, Evenson, Barbara, and Lambert, Jeffrey. And then he was bred in Kentucky, United States by Pope McLean, Marc McLean, and Pope McLean Jr. Charlie’s to Blame won at Del Mar, Gulfstream Park. He has a stakes win at the 2025 Kitten’s Joy (LS).
2025 Jeff Ruby Stakes SBG Best Bet.
2025 Louisiana Derby
| Date and Time: | Saturday, March 22, 2025 |
|---|---|
| Location: | Fair Grounds |
| TV Coverage: | Check Listings |
| Betting Online Odds at SBG: | Click Here |
2025 Louisiana Derby SBG Odds Overview
Previously, the race was won by horses such as Peace Rules, Risen Star, and El Baba. At the same time, two winners of the Louisiana Derby have gone on to victory with the 2024 Kentucky Derby Odds: Grindstone in 1996 and Black Gold in 1924.
Certainly, the most impressive horse in the Louisiana Derby is John Hancock. To illuminate, John Hancock is a three-year-old colt who has raced in 2025.
He was sired by Constitution out of the Freud mare Scribbling Sarah. He was trained by Brad H. Cox and has raced for CHC, Inc. and WinStar Farm LLC. Also, he was bred in Kentucky, United States, by WinStar Farm, LLC. Previously, John Hancock had a stakes win at the 2025 Sam F. Davis (LS).
2025 Louisiana Derby SBG Best Bets: John Hancock