Report: Jeff Ruby winner Endlessly is on Derby trail after all

Endlessly, winner of the Grade 3 Jeff Ruby Steaks, is under consideration for Kentucky Derby 2024.

After his Jeff Ruby Steaks victory, trainer Michael McCarthy said Endlessly would be pointed to the American Turf (G2) instead of the run for the roses. But Bill Finley of Thoroughbred Daily News reported that owner John Amerman wants to keep the Kentucky Derby open as an option.

“He doesn't need to show me much, at least from a resume standpoint,” McCarthy told TDN. “He has to train and we'll need everything to go our way. You know how things are when you get close to Derby time, things happen. We'll be looking for a bit of luck and will hope he gets over the racetrack well. Mr. Amerman wants to be very open-minded about it and feels there is an opportunity out there.

“Are we leaning towards the Derby? The answer is yes.”

Endlessly, an Amerman Racing homebred, is by Oscar Performance out of the Langfuhr mare Dream Fuhrever. He has a 6: 5-0-0 record, with his only blemish an eighth-place finish behind Unquestionable in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf. He was an early nominee to the Triple Crown, but all of his starts have come over turf or synthetic.

Endlessly earned 100 points on the road to the Kentucky Derby in the Jeff Ruby Steaks at Turfway, where he unleashed an eye-catching rally and won by four lengths. In his previous start on Feb. 10 he won the El Camino Real Derby over the Tapeta at Golden Gate fields. The El Camino Real Derby no longer offers Kentucky Derby points, though it does afford the winner an automatic bid to the Preakness Stakes.