Jeff Ruby Steaks
The Spiral Stakes (known as the Jeff Ruby Steaks [1]—a homophone of the word Stakes, for commercial reasons) is an American thoroughbred horse race held in late March at Turfway Park in Florence, Kentucky in the Cincinnati area. The race is open to three-year-olds willing to race one and one-eighth miles (9 furlongs) on the main track, which is now a synthetic surface at Turfway. It was downgraded to a Grade III race in 2011 by the American Graded Stakes Committee (AGSC).[2]
| Grade III race | |
| Location | Turfway Park Florence, Kentucky |
|---|---|
| Inaugurated | 1972 |
| Race type | Thoroughbred – Flat racing |
| Sponsor | Jeff Ruby Culinary Entertainment |
| Website | turfway |
| Race information | |
| Distance | 1 1⁄8 miles (9 furlongs) |
| Surface | PolyTrack |
| Track | left-handed |
| Qualification | Three-year-olds |
| Weight | Assigned |
| Purse | $202,420 (2018) |
First run on April 1, 1972, bourbon whiskey maker Jim Beam acquired naming rights sponsorship in 1982 and the race renamed the Jim Beam Spiral Stakes and later just the Jim Beam Stakes. Lane's End Farm took over as sponsor of the race in 2002, and in 2013 it was sponsored by the Horseshoe Casino in Cincinnati. The Spiral Stakes was renamed in 2018 under a three-year agreement with Jeff Ruby Culinary Entertainment, owner of Jeff Ruby's Steakhouses. As part of the sponsorship, the race is referred to as the Jeff Ruby Steaks (similar to other sporting events named for a product).[1]
In 1984 it was given Grade III status, then, after moving to Turfway Park in 1986, its purse was increased and in 1988 was elevated to a Grade II race. It returned to Grade III status in 2011. With a win in the Kentucky Derby by Animal Kingdom, however, the Grade II status it lost could return soon based on the formula the AGSC uses to grade races.[3]
On March 30, 1991, Hansel set a new track record while winning the Jim Beam Stakes. In 1995, future Hall of Famer Serena's Song became the first filly to win the race. Other horses to win who went on to capture at least one of the American Classic Races includes Summer Squall (1990), Lil E. Tee (1992), Prairie Bayou (1993), and Animal Kingdom (2011).
Since inception, the race has been contested at various distances:
- 1 mile : 1972–1981
- 1 1⁄16 miles : 1982–1987
- 1 1⁄8 miles : 1988 to present
The race was run in two divisions in 1973, 1974, 1975, 1977, 1978, and 1980.
Records
- Speed record
- 1:46.60 – Hansel (1991) (at current distance of 1 1⁄8 miles)
- Most wins by an owner
- 5 – Golden Chance Farm (1977, 1978, 1980 (2))
- Most wins by a jockey
- 5 – Pat Day (1984, 1987, 1989, 1990, 1992)
- Most wins by a trainer
- 7 – Smiley Adams (1977 (2), 1978 (2), 1979, 1980 (2))
Winners
| Year |
Winner |
Age |
Jockey |
Trainer |
Owner |
Dist. (Miles) |
Time |
Gr. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Field Pass | 3 | Irad Ortiz Jr | Michael J. Maker | Three Diamonds Farm | 1-1/8 | 1:49.34 | III |
| 2019 | Somelikeithotbrown | 3 | Tyler Gaffalione | Michael J. Maker | Skychai Racing LLC | 1-1/8 | 1:52.05 | III |
| 2018 | Blended Citizen | 3 | Kyle Frey | Douglas F. O'Neill | G. Hall & Sanjay Racing | 1-1/8 | 1:50.15 | III |
| 2017 | Fast and Accurate | 3 | Tyler Gaffalione | Michael J. Maker | Kendall E. Hansen | 1-1/8 | 1:50:96 | III |
| 2016 | Oscar Nominated | 3 | Brian Hernandez Jr. | Michael J. Maker | Kenneth & Sarah Ramsey | 1-1/8 | 1:51.12 | III |
| 2015 | Dubai Sky | 3 | Jose Lezcano | William I. Mott | Three Chimneys Farm & Besilu Stables | 1-1/8 | 1:50.26 | III |
| 2014 | We Miss Artie | 3 | John R. Velazquez | Todd Pletcher | Kenneth & Sarah Ramsey | 1-1/8 | 1:51.98 | III |
| 2013 | Black Onyx | 3 | Joe Bravo | Kelly Breen | Sterling Racing | 1-1/8 | 1:51.98 | III |
| 2012 | Went the Day Well | 3 | John Velazquez | H. Graham Motion | Team Valor/Ford | 1-1/8 | 1:51.33 | III |
| 2011 | Animal Kingdom | 3 | Alan Garcia | H. Graham Motion | Team Valor | 1-1/8 | 1:52.32 | III |
| 2010 | Dean's Kitten | 3 | Cornelio Velasquez | Michael J. Maker | Kenneth & Sarah Ramsey | 1-1/8 | 1:50.59 | II |
| 2009 | Hold Me Back | 3 | Kent Desormeaux | William I. Mott | WinStar Farm | 1-1/8 | 1:49.63 | II |
| 2008 | Adriano | 3 | Edgar Prado | H. Graham Motion | Courtlandt Farms | 1-1/8 | 1:50.20 | II |
| 2007 | Hard Spun | 3 | Mario G. Pino | J. Larry Jones | Fox Hill Farms Inc. | 1-1/8 | 1:49.41 | II |
| 2006 | With A City | 3 | Brice Blanc | Michael J. Maker | Equirace.com | 1-1/8 | 1:51.11 | II |
| 2005 | Flower Alley | 3 | Jorge Chavez | Todd A. Pletcher | Melnyk Racing Stables | 1-1/8 | 1:50.33 | II |
| 2004 | Sinister G | 3 | Paul Toscano | John Toscano Jr. | John T. Toscano III et al. | 1-1/8 | 1:50.71 | II |
| 2003 | New York Hero | 3 | Norberto Arroyo Jr. | Jennifer Pedersen | Paraneck Stable | 1-1/8 | 1:50.68 | II |
| 2002 | Perfect Drift | 3 | Ed Delahoussaye | Murray W. Johnson | Stonecrest Farm | 1-1/8 | 1:48.83 | II |
| 2001 | Balto Star | 3 | Mark Guidry | Todd A. Pletcher | Anstu Stable, Inc. | 1-1/8 | 1:47.23 | II |
| 2000 | Globalize | 3 | Francisco Torres | Jerry Hollendorfer | Howard Litt et al. | 1-1/8 | 1:49.16 | II |
| 1999 | Stephen Got Even | 3 | Shane Sellers | Nick Zito | Stephen Hilbert | 1-1/8 | 1:49.03 | II |
| 1998 | Event of the Year | 3 | Russell Baze | Jerry Hollendorfer | Golden Eagle Farm | 1-1/8 | 1:47.00 | II |
| 1997 | Concerto | 3 | Carlos Marquez Jr. | John J. Tammaro III | Kinsman Stable | 1-1/8 | 1:48.20 | II |
| 1996 | Roar | 3 | Mike E. Smith | C. R. McGaughey III | Claiborne/Dilschneider | 1-1/8 | 1:49.60 | II |
| 1995 | Serena's Song | 3 | Corey Nakatani | D. Wayne Lukas | Bob & Beverly Lewis | 1-1/8 | 1:49.60 | II |
| 1994 | Polar Expedition | 3 | Curt Bourque | Hugh H. Robertson | James Cody | 1-1/8 | 1:49.00 | II |
| 1993 | Prairie Bayou | 3 | Chris McCarron | Thomas Bohannan | Loblolly Stable | 1-1/8 | 1:50.80 | II |
| 1992 | Lil E. Tee | 3 | Pat Day | Lynn S. Whiting | W. Cal Partee | 1-1/8 | 1:53.40 | II |
| 1991 | Hansel | 3 | Jerry D. Bailey | Frank L. Brothers | Lazy Lane Farm | 1-1/8 | 1:46.60 | II |
| 1990 | Summer Squall | 3 | Pat Day | Neil J. Howard | Dogwood Stable | 1-1/8 | 1:49.40 | II |
| 1989 | Western Playboy | 3 | Pat Day | Harvey L. Vanier | Nancy Vanier | 1-1/8 | 1:49.00 | II |
| 1988 | Kingpost | 3 | Eugene Sipus Jr. | Dianne Carpenter | Mark Warner | 1-1/8 | 1:50.80 | II |
| 1987 | J. T.'s Pet | 3 | Pat Day | Lynn S. Whiting | W. Cal Partee | 1-1/16 | 1:42.80 | II |
| 1986 | Broad Brush | 3 | Vince Bracciale Jr. | Richard W. Small | Robert E. Meyerhoff | 1-1/16 | 1:44.20 | II |
| 1985 | Banner Bob | 3 | Keith Allen | Jerome Sarner Jr. | Sharon E. & William J. Walsh | 1-1/16 | 1:42.00 | II |
| 1984 | At The Threshold | 3 | Pat Day | Lynn S. Whiting | W. Cal Partee | 1-1/16 | 1:42.80 | II |
| 1983 | Marfa | 3 | Jorge Velasquez | D. Wayne Lukas | Beal/French Jr./Lukas | 1-1/16 | 1:42.40 | II |
| 1982 | Good N' Dusty | 3 | Michael Moran | Jasper Adams | Larry R. Lehman | 1-1/16 | 1:44.60 | II |
| 1981 | Mythical Ruler | 3 | Kevin Wirth | Fred Wirth | Price & Risen | 1 mile | 1:38.00 | II |
| 1980 # | Spruce Needles | 3 | Mark Sellers | Smiley Adams | Golden Chance Farm | 1 mile | 1:36.20 | II |
| 1980 # | Major Run | 3 | Mark Sellers | Smiley Adams | Golden Chance Farm | 1 mile | 1:37.60 | II |
| 1979 | Lot O' Gold | 3 | Don Brumfield | Smiley Adams | Frederick E. Lehmann | 1 mile | 1:37.60 | II |
| 1978 # | Raymond Earl | 3 | Julio Espinoza | Smiley Adams | Robert N. Lehmann | 1 mile | 1:38.80 | II |
| 1978 # | Five Star General | 3 | Julio Espinoza | Smiley Adams | Golden Chance Farm | 1 mile | 1:37.80 | II |
| 1977 # | Bob's Dusty | 3 | Julio Espinoza | Smiley Adams | Robert N. Lehmann | 1 mile | 1:38.80 | II |
| 1977 # | Smiley's Dream | 3 | William Destefona | Smiley Adams | Golden Chance Farm | 1 mile | 1:39.40 | II |
| 1976 | Inca Roca | 3 | William Nemeti | Albert T. "Tom" Skinner | Charles Raymond Jarrell | 1 mile | 1:37.40 | II |
| 1975 | Ambassador's Image | 3 | Eddie Snell | Donald L. Ball | Donamire Farm (Donald & Mira Ball) | 1 mile | 1:38.40 | II |
| 1975 | Naughty Jake | 3 | German Vasquez | Jake Bachelor | Mildred Bachelor | 1 mile | 1:40.00 | II |
| 1974 # | King of Rome | 3 | Keith Wirth | Fred Wirth | Fred Wirth | 1 mile | 1:45.40 | II |
| 1974 # | Aglorite | 3 | Keith Wirth | Fred Wirth | A. Risen Jr. | 1 mile | 1:44.60 | II |
| 1973 # | Jacks Chevron | 3 | Kerry Wirth | Carl Sitgraves | W. Hines/C. Sitgraves | 1 mile | 1:41.00 | II |
| 1973 # | Bootlegger's Pet | 3 | Mickey Solomone | Charles C. Patrick | Charles C. Patrick | 1 mile | 1:42.00 | II |
| 1972 | Big Dot | 3 | Jim Murchison | James Eckrosh | E. Lowrence | 1 mile | 1:38.80 | |
A # indicates that the race was run in two divisions in 1973, 1974, 1975, 1977, 1978, and 1980.
See also
Notes
- "Sponsorship Changes Spiral Stakes to 'Jeff Ruby Steaks'". bloodhorse.com. The BloodHorse. January 25, 2018. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
- http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/60173/2011-graded-stakes-13-fewer-than-10/
- http://www.toba.org/graded-stakes/grading-session-workbook.aspx