Jeff Ruby Steaks: Landeros ‘A Big Plus’ For Derby Hopeful Gretzky The Great

Trainer Mark Casse sent Gretzky the Great to Turfway Park to take advantage of the track's new Tapeta synthetic surface. Now he hopes to take advantage of Turfway's signature race, Saturday's $250,000 Jeff Ruby Steaks, offering the maximum 100 points to the winner and 40 for the runner-up toward Kentucky Derby qualifying.

With Churchill Downs having purchased Turfway, the flagship track bumped the Grade 3 Jeff Ruby's points to the winner from 20 to 100 for the first time, on par with the biggest prep races: Fair Grounds' Louisiana Derby, Gulfstream's Florida Derby, Keeneland's Toyota Blue Grass, the Santa Anita Derby, Aqueduct's Wood Memorial and Oaklawn's Arkansas Derby. As a result, Saturday's winner is assured of making the 20-horse Derby field, with the runner-up likely in the race. The Jeff Ruby also will award 20 Derby qualifying points for third and 10 for fourth.

A capacity field of twelve 3-year-olds was entered for Saturday's 1 1/8-mile race, with the Rodolphe Brisset-trained Tarantino the 3-1 favorite, Turfway's John Battaglia Memorial winner Hush of a Storm 4-1 and Gretzky the Great 5-1. First post is 1:12 p.m. ET with a stakes six pack spanning races 6-11 on the 12-race closing card for Turfway's winter-spring meet. The Jeff Ruby is race 11 (6:25 p.m. ET).

Gretzky the Great, who finished third in the Battaglia in his first start this year, has raced only on turf and synthetic surfaces, winning Woodbine's Grade 1 Summer Stakes on grass and its $100,000 prep before finishing sixth in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf. As a Canadian-bred, a major objective for him all along has been the $1 million Queen's Plate staged over Woodbine's Tapeta course, but that isn't until late summer.

However, Casse believes Gretzky the Great is bred to love a true dirt surface. Should he win the Jeff Ruby, it could be awfully tempting for owners Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and Gary Barber to roll the dice at Churchill Downs, where Gretzky the Great's sire, Nyquist, won the 2016 Kentucky Derby.

Casse said that Gretzky the Great had minor ankle surgery after Breeders' Cup at Keeneland and was off until the Battaglia.

“The reason I sent Gretzky to Turfway is that I'm a big believer in Tapeta,” he said. “I just think it's much easier on them. After the Breeders' Cup, we missed some time with him. I knew that if I was going to make a dirt start that I was going to have to breeze him two or three more times. I went to the Battaglia simply because (the surface) is not as tiring. I was even concerned he was going to be a little short for the Battaglia, but I thought it would help him move forward. And then, the Jeff Ruby was definitely the next step.

“Is the Derby a possibility? I wouldn't rule it out. He would have to give us a tremendous performance, though, in the Jeff Ruby and then we'd have to come up with a plan on the Derby. But the Queen's Plate is definitely in our crosshairs.”

Gretzky the Great led most of the way after breaking on the rail in the Battaglia, tiring to third behind Hush of a Storm and Like the King, who also is in the Jeff Ruby.

“He definitely was a little short,” Casse said. “We drew the one hole. I told the rider, 'Look, I want you to put him into the race.' I don't like from the one hole letting horses run by you, and then they go in front of you and next thing you know you're last going (into the turn). Unfortunately, he caught some pressure from a long shot that ran head-and-head with him for three quarters of a mile. He put that horse away and then two more came at him — two more that had to be a lot fitter than we were. I was proud of our horse.”

Chris Landeros, who has ridden considerably for Casse while spending the winter riding at Turfway Park for the first time, rides Gretzky the Great for the first time in a race Saturday.

“I thought he tried and ran hard,” Casse said of the Battaglia. “But more importantly, he's trained very well since then. And I'm excited. I'm very happy we picked up Chris Landeros to ride him. In my opinion, nobody rides Turfway Park like Chris Landeros. So, I think that's a big plus for us.”

Casse, who also has Soup and Sandwich in Saturday's Florida Derby, already has secured one spot in the May 1 Kentucky Derby with Tampa Bay Derby winner Helium, a former workmate with Gretzky the Great. “I thought they were pretty comparable,” he said.

Landeros said he was aboard for Gretzky the Great's last two works at Turfway.

“He's been working really well,” he said. “I can't thank Mark and the owners enough for the opportunity. I really do think he's going to run a big race. His last race, it was the first time in a while he'd run. He needed the race and kind of got shut off a bit down the lane. He ran a game third, and I think he'll be ready to go.”

Landeros is hoping to cap a very good winter at Turfway with a big day Saturday. His 28 wins through Thursday rank No. 4, but his 25-percent win clip tops the leaders and he is narrowly in second behind Rafael Bejarano in purse earnings for the meet.

In addition to riding Gretzky the Great, he's riding Into Vanishing in the $150,000 Bourbonette Oaks, whose winner will receive 50 qualifying points toward the Kentucky Oaks. Landeros has been on Into Vanishing for the 3-year-old filly's two wins at Turfway Park for trainer Jonathan Thomas, who is 8 for 17 at Turfway's winter-spring meet.

Landeros said his agent and brother in law, Brodie Wilkes, back in October brought up the idea of staying in Kentucky for the winter.

“I was a little hesitant at first, but as the fall came and went, I thought it was the right move,” he said. “I kind of wanted to rebuild a little bit, get some local guys on our side so when we come back in the spring to Keeneland and Churchill, we have the best momentum possible for us. Because it's not easy; it's tough. But I got great support between Mark Casse, Ian Wilkes, Jonathan Thomas, Rodolphe Brisset – those guys gave me great opportunities and we made the most of it. It should set up shop for a good spring and summer.”

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TAA Well Represented Over Derby Prep Weekend

The Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA) will be featured on two big race days at Gulfstream Park and Turfway Park Saturday to promote aftercare awareness on the undercard of the GIII Jeff Ruby Steaks and the GI Curlin Florida Derby. A presentation of a TAA blanket and swag bag to the winning connections will be made following the running of each race. Gulfstream's Race 2 presented by the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance will go off at 11:59 a.m. A limited number of patrons will be in attendance for the action-packed Florida Derby day at Gulfstream. Aftercare support will continue under new ownership at Turfway, where the TAA is set to present race 3 at 2:10 p.m. prior to the 50th running of the Jeff Ruby Steaks. Due to construction in preparation for the new racing and gambling property, Turfway is not permitted to host fans for live racing at this time.

“The TAA is grateful to both Gulfstream and Turfway Park for their commitment to include the TAA during such exciting race days,” said Stacie Clark, TAA Operations Consultant. “Race presentations help the TAA fulfill its mission to spread awareness of accredited Thoroughbred aftercare which facilitates the funding of our 81 accredited organizations.”

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‘Storm’ Rolling in For Jeff Ruby

A field of 11, headed by Joseph Morey Jr.'s Hush of a Storm (Creative Cause), aim to take advantage of the Kentucky Derby points on the line in Saturday's GIII Jeff Ruby Steaks at Turfway Park. Drawing the 2 hole, the William Morey trainee kicked off his career finishing eighth against $150,000 maidens on the dirt at Churchill last November, but rebounded in fine style to win with ease while trying the Tapeta for the first time going a mile a Turfway in December. A narrow winner facing optional claiming company Jan. 6, the New York bred recorded his biggest success to date when winning the 8 1/2-furlong John Battaglia Memorial S. Feb. 26. Aboard for all three wins, Santiago Gonzalez gets the call.

Hoping to turn the tables on Hush of a Storm is Battaglia third Gretzky the Great (Nyquist), the sole Grade I winner in the field.  Campaigned by Gary Barber and Eclipse Thoroughbreds, the Ontario bred was runner up in his career bow over the Woodbine turf last July before graduating in an off-turf test over that track's synthetic surface the following month before eking out a win in the grassy 6 1/2-furlong Soaring Free S. Aug. 23.  Favored for the Sept. 20 GI Summer S., the bay came home an easy 3 1/4-length winner, but failed to carry that form in his seasonal finale, tiring to sixth in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf at Keeneland Nov. 6.

“After the Breeders' Cup, Gretzky had some minor ankle surgery and so, we missed some time with him,” said Mark Casse. “I knew if I was going to make a dirt start that I was going to have to race him two or three more times. So, the reason I went to the Battaglia was just simply because it's not as tiring.”

As for his Battaglia performance, Casse added, “He definitely was a little short, unfortunately. We drew the one [hole] and I told the rider, look, I want you to put him into the race. I don't like coming from the one and letting horses run by you and then they go in front of you and next thing you know, you're last. So, we asked him to run away from there. And unfortunately, he caught some pressure from a long shot that kind of ran ahead and was with him for three-quarters-of-a-mile. He put that horse away and then two more came at him, two more that had to be a lot fitter than we were, so I was proud of our horse.”

“I thought he tried and ran hard, staying back,” he concluded. “But more importantly, he's trained very well since then. And I'm excited. I'm very happy we picked up Chris Landeros to ride him. In my opinion, nobody rides Turfway Park like Chris Landeros. So, I think that's a big plus for us.”

While a top rung performance could pave the way to the Kentucky Derby starting gate, Casse indicated Canada's first jewel of the Triple Crown is far more likely for the colt.

“Is the derby a possibility? I wouldn't rule it out,” said Casse. “He would have to give us a tremendous performance though in the Jeff Ruby and then we'd have to come up with a plan on the Derby. But Queen's Plate is definitely in our crosshairs. And with him being a Canadian bred, it's a million dollars and it's such a prestigious race. We've been fortunate enough to win it a couple of times. We'd like to win it again.”

Also exiting the Battaglia, M Racing Group's Like the King (Palace Malice) makes the jump into graded company following a runner-up in the Battaglia. A runaway winner going a mile on the turf at Belterra last September, the Wesley Ward trainee finished third in an off-turf test at Keeneland a month later but found himself back in the winner's circle going a mile at Turfway Dec. 4. Drawing the inside stall this time, the colt will be ridden for the first time by Drayden Van Dyke.

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America’s Day At The Races Telecast Features Pair Of Kentucky Derby Preps

America's Day at the Races, the acclaimed national telecast produced by the New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) in partnership with FOX Sports, will air coverage both Saturday and Sunday showcasing stakes action from Aqueduct Racetrack, Oaklawn Park, Turfway Park and Gulfstream Park.

Presented by America's Best Racing and Claiborne Farm, America's Day at the Races will broadcast Saturday from 2:30-7:30 p.m. Eastern, with coverage for the first half hour on FS2 before shifting to FS1 from 3-4:30 p.m. FS2 will pick up coverage from 4:30-7:30 p.m.

Saturday's broadcast will air stakes action from all four tracks, led by the Grade 1, $750,000 Florida Derby in Race 14 at 6:40 p.m. as one of 10 stakes on Gulfstream's program. The Kentucky Derby prep race, offering 100-40-20-10 qualifying points to the top-four finishers, will see Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert send out Spielberg, the 4-1 second choice on the morning line. The Grade 2 Los Alamitos Futurity winner is second coming off a runner-up effort to reigning juvenile champion Essential Quality in the Grade 3 Southwest at Oaklawn Park. Greatest Honour was installed as the 6-5 morning-line favorite, entering off wins in the Grade 3 Holy Bull and Grade 2 Fountain of Youth in his last two starts.

Other Gulfstream stakes on the broadcast include the Grade 2, $200,000 Gulfstream Park Oaks in Race 12 at 5:17 p.m. Trainer Kenny McPeek will try to win the Grade 1 Kentucky Oaks qualifier [100-40-20-10 points] for the second straight year, looking to follow Swiss Skydiver's 2020 win by sending out Crazy Beautiful for the 1 1/16-mile contest.

Aqueduct will have six of its 10 total stakes shown on the broadcast, highlighting NYRA's New York Claiming Championship series that offers a total of $620,000 in purses. The New York Claiming Championship is open to horses which have started for a prescribed claiming price in 2020-21. The series, each named after some of the most popular claiming horses to run at the Big A, features races at distances ranging from six furlongs to 1 3/8 miles.

The Big A televised stakes will start with the $55,000 Kelly Kip for 4-year-olds and up going six furlongs in Race 4 at 2:50 p.m. Following in order will be the $45,000 Belle Gallantey for older fillies and mares going seven furlongs in Race 5 at 3:20 p.m., the $70,000 Peeping Tom for 4-year-olds and up at 6 1/2 furlongs in Race 6 at 3:52 p.m., the $60,000 More To Tell for older horses going a one-turn mile in Race 7 at 4:24 p.m., the $60,000 Sis City for fillies and mares 4-years-old and up at one mile in Race 8 at 5 p.m., the $75,000 Stud Muffin for older horses competing at a marathon 1 3/8 miles in Race 9 at 5:34 p.m., and the $45,000 Dads Caps in the 10th-race finale for 4-year-olds and up going seven furlongs at 6:10 p.m.

Turfway Park will have three consecutive stakes broadcast, starting with the $150,000 Kentucky Cup Classic for 4-year-olds and up going 1 1/8 miles in Race 9 at 5:10 p.m. Race 10 will offer up the $150,000 Bourbonette Oaks for sophomore fillies going one mile at 5:45 p.m.

Stakes action at the track will conclude with the Grade 3, $250,000 Jeff Ruby Steaks, also a 100-40-20-10 Kentucky Derby qualifier. Hush of a Storm, the winner of the John Battaglia Memorial, is 3-for-3 over the Tapeta track at Turfway. Gretzky the Great, the Nyquist colt, is a Grade 1 winner, having captured the Summer for Hall of Fame trainer Mark Casse.

Oaklawn will see nine Arkansas-bred 3-year-olds and up going six furlongs in the $150,000 Nodouble Breeders' in Race 10 at 5:52 p.m.

As an additional programing note, live coverage of the Group 1, $12 million Dubai World Cup airs Saturday at noon Eastern on FS1. The field for the 25th renewal of the Dubai World Cup is headlined by multiple graded stakes winner Mystic Guide and will include a collection of standout runners from around the world.

Coverage of the Dubai World Cup undercard, featuring six stakes races, will air live from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on FS1. The 'Golden Hour' telecast, featuring live coverage of the Group 1 Dubai Sheema Classic and Group 1 Dubai World Cup, will air from noon-1 p.m., Eastern on FS1. Coverage of the Dubai World Cup card on FS1 is presented by Star Guitar.

Sunday's coverage will run from 1:30-6 p.m. on FS2, highlighted by Aqueduct's $100,000 Haynesfield for New York-bred 4-year-olds and up going a one-turn mile.

America's Day at the Races is also broadcast on NYRA's YouTube channel which boasts more than 65,000 subscribers. Fans can subscribe to NYRA's channel and set a reminder to watch the show on YouTube Live. NYRA's YouTube channel also hosts a plethora of race replays, special features, America's Day at the Races replays and more.

Free Equibase-provided past performances are available for races that are part of the America's Day at the Races broadcast and can be accessed at https://www.nyra.com/aqueduct/racing/tv-schedule.

NYRA Bets is the official wagering platform of Aqueduct Racetrack, and the best way to bet every race of the winter meet. Available to horseplayers nationwide, the NYRA Bets app is available for download today on iOS and Android at www.NYRABets.com.

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