Ky. Derby prep: Jeff Ruby Steaks contenders' speed figures

The Kentucky Derby trail makes its last stop at Turfway on Saturday for the Grade 3, 1 1/8-mile Jeff Ruby Steaks on the Tapeta surface. The Jeff Ruby offers 100-50-25-15-10 qualifying points for the top five finishers, practically guaranteeing the top two finishers spots in the Kentucky Derby starting gate. 

Over its history, the race now known as the Jeff Ruby has produced three Kentucky Derby winners, Lil E Tee in 1992, Animal Kingdom in 2011, and Rich Strike in 2022. Last year, Seize the Grey finished in third place in the Jeff Ruby before bouncing back big time in the Pat Day Mile (G2) and then the Preakness Stakes. Two Phil's won the Jeff Ruby in 2023 en route to a runner-up finish in the Kentucky Derby.

This year's Jeff Ruby Steaks attracted a full field of 12 plus one also-eligible. Remsen (G2) winner Poster is likely to get a lot of attention at the windows for his fast-closing third last out in the Sam F. Davis behind Owen Almighty and John Hancock. But his speed figures suggest that he has room to improve if he is going to win here.

The top HRN speed figure holder is Innovator at 128, last seen finishing 12th in the Rebel Stakes (G2) at Oaklawn. The top Brisnet Speed Rating is 96, earned by He's Not Joking, a graded-stakes winner on synthetic at Woodbine who finished fifth behind Burnham Square last out in the Holy Bull (G3). California Burrito, winner of the Battaglia in prep for this start, holds the highest Beyer Speed figure in the field with a 92. Finally, TimeformUS shows Calling Card has its fastest figure with a 110.

With such a range of speed figure leaders on the different scales, there is no standout here on speed but plenty of opportunity for someone to step up.

Here are the top lifetime speed figures for the Jeff Ruby Steaks.

Beyer and TimeformUS speed figures courtesy of Daily Racing Form.