St. Elias Stable and Starlight Racing’s FULLEFFORT surged down the center of Turfway Park Racing & Gaming’s stretch to win Saturday’s 55th running of the $777,000 Jeff Ruby Steaks (Grade 3), on the Road to the Kentucky Derby Championship Series.
Ridden by Irad Ortiz Jr. and trained by Brad Cox, Fulleffort (Liam’s Map) completed 1 1/8 miles on Tapeta in 1:49.94 while earning 100 qualifying points and a spot in the starting gate for the $5 million Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve (GI). The news wasn’t as good for the two Woodbine-based trainers with starters in the Jeff Ruby. Two Out Hero, a finalist for Champion Two-Year-Old Colt or Gelding in Canada, finished seventh after an inside journey in mid-pack. Josie Carroll trainee Chaos Agent, an impressive debut winner at Gulfstream, was eager early in the race, but then stopped abruptly and was eased.
The pace in the Jeff Ruby was set by California invader Medici who went an opening quarter-mile in a sharp :23.18. He carved an uncontested half-mile in :47.16 and maintained that lead going into the far turn where California turf stakes winner Stark Contrast made a bold, three-wide move along with Fulleffort unleashing his best stride.
In midstretch, Fulleffort surged down the middle of the track and powered past Stark Contrast and Medici for a 2 1/2-length victory.
“He has a strong closing kick,” Ortiz said. “I knew he’d come with his best run and he handled stretching out in distance really well. I think he’s continuing to improve.”
“He’s a hard-knocking horse that continues to improve,” assistant trainer Trace Messina said. “He does everything we ask of him and trained really well into this race. We’ll talk it over with Brad and the team to decide next steps, but we’re very happy for everyone involved to get the job done today.”
Sent off as the 9-5 favorite, Fulleffort returned his backers $5.82. The colt has three wins from seven starts, two of those on grass. He has yet to try a dirt track. He has 110 Kentucky Derby points to lead all contenders. Emerging Market, who won the Louisiana Derby (G2) at the Fair Grounds, has 100 points.
Bred in Kentucky by Athens Woods. Fulleffort was a $425,000 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga yearling purchase. His dam, Callmethesqueeze, by Canadian-bred Awesome Again, won three stakes races including the Hollywood Wildcat Stakes. She has produced six other named foals including Grade 1 winner Power Squeeze, who won the Alabama.
More News
