Amerman Racing’s Endlessly made short work of the Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3) field, thundering home a powerful winner of the $700,000 feature race of the Turfway Park meet March 23.
After the Jeff Ruby, trainer Michael McCarthy reported Endlessly would indeed be in the starting gate that first Saturday in May, but not in the race one would expect after his 100-point Road to the Kentucky Derby victory.
“We’re looking at the American Turf (Stakes),” McCarthy said. The American Turf Stakes (G2T), staged May 4 on the Kentucky Derby (G1) undercard at Churchill Downs, is 1 1/16 miles on the turf for 3-year-olds.
The son of Oscar Performance , unraced on the dirt, is nearly undefeated on turf and synthetic surfaces. He opened his sophomore campaign last month with an authoritative win in Golden Gate Fields‘ El Camino Real Derby in his first spin over the synthetic, earning an automatic berth to the Preakness Stakes (G1) in the process.
Although Endlessly will not be participating in the Run for the Roses, trainer Larry Demeritte declared Jeff Ruby runner-up West Saratoga was a definitive starter for the Derby. West Saratoga picked up 50 points for his second-place finish, pushing him into fourth on the Derby leaderboard with 67 points.
The D. Wayne Lukas trainee Seize the Grey completed the trifecta, collecting 25 points for a total of 27.
Endlessly was timed in 1:50.15.
Video: Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3)
Former Claimer Springs the Upset in Bourbonette Oaks
Everland ‘s rail-skimming victory in the $300,000 Bourbonette Oaks punctuated a career-best race meet for trainer Eric Foster. The Arrogate filly, one of the longest shots on the board, went from a former claimer to a potential Kentucky Oaks (G1) starter.
Tagged for $30,000 four starts back, Everland collected 50 points on the Road to the Kentucky Oaks.
Winnable was runner-up by a half-length over Alpine Princess in third.
Everland ($24.10) raced the 1 1/16 miles in 1:44.36.
Video: Bourbonette Oaks (BT)
This story will be updated.
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