HorseCenter: Louisiana Derby, Jeff Ruby Steaks top picks

By Brian Zipse & Matt Shifman
Photo:

This week on HorseCenter, Brian Zipse and Matt Shifman handicap and offer top picks for a pair of rich prep races for Kentucky Derby 2024 in the $1 million Louisiana Derby and the $700,000 Jeff Ruby Steaks.

Track Phantom is the likely favorite at Fair Grounds, leading the field in career earnings and Kentucky Derby qualifying points. The Grade 2 Louisiana Derby, which is the longest prep race for the Run for the Roses at 1 3/16 miles, drew a full field of 3-year-olds who will vie for the maximum qualifying points offered at 100-50-25-15-10.

Endlessly ships from California to Kentucky for the Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3) on the Tapeta surface at Turfway Park. He is the recent winner of the El Camino Real Derby on the synthetic track at Golden Gate Fields. Another full field will go to post, with the top two finishers earning enough points to guarantee a spot in the big race on the first Saturday in May.

The Kentucky Derby is only six weeks away, so be sure to come back for more of HorseCenter’s coverage. As always, thanks for watching the show.

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