By Matt Shifman and Bob Ehalt

The $700,000 Jeff Ruby (G3), Saturday, Turfway Park – Race 12

The Jeff Ruby Steaks is a [100-40-30-20-10] 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. Horses that have had success racing from behind will be preferred. (8) Congruent tried the Tapeta for the first time last month in the John Battaglia which was the major prep race for The Jeff Ruby. The son of Tapit rallied from 12^th place to win by more than three-lengths at odds of 16-1. (11) Wadsworth is another talented 3-year-old for Brad Cox who moved him to Turfway Park where he broke his maiden by 10 lengths and then won an allowance with a closing move from mid-pack. (10) Two Phil’s has three wins and makes his first start on the Tapeta after four races in graded stakes on the Derby trail. His trainer Larry Rivelli is used to running horses on synthetic surfaces and Two Phil’s seven starts were run at five different tracks. (3) Event Detail broke his maiden on the Tapeta for trainer Paulo Lobo who is a regular at Turfway. Event Detail has the right running style even though he ran poorly in the Rebel (G2) on a sloppy track. Betting strategy:  Exacta box: 3, 8, 10, 11.  Trifecta box: 3, 8, 10, 11.