Jeff Ruby Steaks

Turfway Park’s premier 3-year-old prep race for the Kentucky Derby, the Jeff Ruby Steaks is contested at 1 1/8 miles (9 furlongs) on Turfway’s synthetic main track.

In 2005, Turfway Park became the first track in North America to install Polytrack, an all-weather product, as a racing surface. With the installation of this all-weather surface, Turfway's track condition is always officially listed as "fast” (as opposed to wet fast, good, muddy, sloppy, frozen, slow, and heavy) no matter the weather. In 2011 and 1992, Spiral Stakes victors Animal Kingdom and Lil E. Tee, respectively, went on to capture the roses in the Kentucky Derby.  Other winners include Broad Brush, Summer Squall, Hansel, Prairie Bayou, Serena’s Song and Perfect Drift.

The race has been renamed several times in recent years as sponsors changed. Formerly known as the Spiral Stakes and sponsored by a nearby casino from 2013-2017, it was renamed the Jeff Ruby Steaks in 2018 after restaurateur Jeff Ruby signed on as sponsor.