Grade III race | |
Location | Turfway Park Florence, Kentucky |
---|---|
Inaugurated | 1972 (as Latonia Spiral Stakes) |
Race type | Thoroughbred – Flat racing |
Sponsor | Jeff Ruby Culinary Entertainment (since 2018) |
Website | Turfway Park |
Race information | |
Distance | 1+1⁄8 miles |
Surface | Tapeta |
Track | left-handed |
Qualification | Three-year-olds |
Weight | Colts and Geldings 123 lbs Fillies 118 lbs |
Purse | $700,000 (as of 2023) |
The Spiral Stakes (known as the Jeff Ruby Steaks, a homophone of the word Stakes, for commercial reasons) [1] is a Grade III American thoroughbred horse race for three-year-olds at a distance of a one and one-eighth miles on the synthetic track in late March at Turfway Park in Florence, Kentucky. The event currently offers a purse of $700,000.
The event was inaugurated on 1 April 1972 as the Latonia Spiral Stakes over a distance of one mile, established by the General Manager of the Latonia race track John Battaglia for horses "spiraling up" to the Kentucky Derby. [2]
The race in its infancy attracted many entries and the administration of the track decided to run the event in two divisions in the following years: 1973, 1974, 1975, 1977, 1978, and 1980. [3]
In 1982, bourbon whiskey maker Jim Beam acquired naming rights sponsorship and the race was renamed the Jim Beam Spiral Stakes. That year the distance of event was increased to 1+1⁄16 miles. [4] Two years later the event was named the Jim Beam Stakes. The sponsorship deal lasted for 17 years and during that time the event attracted many of the prominent three year olds. [2]
In 1984, the event was upgraded to Grade III status, then, following the sale of the track to Jerry Carroll that led to the track's renaming to Turfway Park in 1986, featured a substantial purse increase in 1988, was upgraded to a Grade II race. [4]
In 1988, the distance of the event was increased to 1+1⁄8 miles. The horse breeding facility Lane's End Farm took over sponsorship of the event in 2003 for eight years. [4]
The event was downgraded back to Grade III status in 2011. [5]
In 2013, the event was sponsored by the Horseshoe Casino in Cincinnati. Currently, the Spiral Stakes is sponsored by 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]
On 30 March 1991, Hansel set a new track record while winning the Jim Beam Stakes. [6] In 1995, future Hall of Famer Serena's Song became the first and only 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), [7] Lil E. Tee (1992), [8] Prairie Bayou (1993), [9] and Animal Kingdom (2011). [10] In 2021, as part of the Turfway Park renovation, the race was moved from the old Polytrack surface to the newly installed Tapeta surface, the race was also included as a high-profile Championship series event on the Road to the Kentucky Derby. [11]
Speed record
Margins
Most wins by an owner
Most wins by a jockey
Most wins by a trainer
Year | Winner | Jockey | Trainer | Owner | Distance | Time | Purse | Grade | Ref |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Jeff Ruby Steaks | |||||||||
2024 | Endlessly | Umberto Rispoli | Michael W. McCarthy | Amerman Racing | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:50.15 | $700,000 | III | [12] |
2023 | Two Phil's | Jareth Loveberry | Larry Rivelli | Patricia's Hope & Philip Sagan | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:49.03 | $694,000 | III | [13] |
2022 | Tiz The Bomb | Brian Hernandez Jr. | Kenneth G. McPeek | Magdalena Racing | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:48.60 | $600,000 | III | [14] |
2021 | Like the King | Drayden Van Dyke | Wesley A. Ward | M. Racing Group | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:50.22 | $243,325 | III | [15] |
2020 | Field Pass | Irad Ortiz Jr. | Michael J. Maker | Three Diamonds Farm | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:49.34 | $217,175 | III | [16] |
2019 | Somelikeithotbrown | Tyler Gaffalione | Michael J. Maker | Skychai Racing & Sand Dollar Stable | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:52.05 | $200,000 | III | [17] |
2018 | Blended Citizen | Kyle Frey | Doug F. O'Neill | Greg Hall & Sanjay Racing | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:50.15 | $200,000 | III | [18] |
Spiral Stakes | |||||||||
2017 | Fast and Accurate | Tyler Gaffalione | Michael J. Maker | Kendall E. Hansen | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:50:96 | $500,000 | III | [19] |
2016 | Oscar Nominated | Brian Hernandez Jr. | Michael J. Maker | Kenneth & Sarah Ramsey | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:51.12 | $500,000 | III | [20] |
2015 | Dubai Sky | Jose Lezcano | William I. Mott | Three Chimneys Farm & Besilu Stables | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:50.26 | $535,750 | III | [21] |
2014 | We Miss Artie | John R. Velazquez | Todd A. Pletcher | Kenneth & Sarah Ramsey | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:51.98 | $518,950 | III | [22] |
2013 | Black Onyx | Joe Bravo | Kelly J. Breen | Sterling Racing | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:51.98 | $550,000 | III | [23] |
2012 | Went the Day Well | John R. Velazquez | H. Graham Motion | Team Valor & Mark Ford | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:51.33 | $500,000 | III | [24] |
2011 | Animal Kingdom | Alan Garcia | H. Graham Motion | Team Valor | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:52.32 | $500,000 | III | [25] |
Lane's End Stakes | |||||||||
2010 | Dean's Kitten | Cornelio Velasquez | Michael J. Maker | Kenneth & Sarah Ramsey | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:50.59 | $500,000 | II | [26] |
2009 | Hold Me Back | Kent J. Desormeaux | William I. Mott | WinStar Farm | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:49.63 | $500,000 | II | [27] |
2008 | Adriano | Edgar S. Prado | H. Graham Motion | Courtlandt Farms | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:50.20 | $500,000 | II | [28] |
2007 | Hard Spun | Mario G. Pino | J. Larry Jones | Fox Hill Farms | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:49.41 | $500,000 | II | [29] |
2006 | With A City | Brice Blanc | Michael J. Maker | Equirace.com | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:51.11 | $500,000 | II | [30] |
2005 | Flower Alley | Jorge F. Chavez | Todd A. Pletcher | Melnyk Racing Stables | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:50.33 | $500,000 | II | [31] |
2004 | Sinister G | Paul R. Toscano | John T. Toscano Jr. | John T. Toscano III, Kim Corrado & Yamile Carlat | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:50.71 | $500,000 | II | [32] |
2003 | New York Hero | Norberto Arroyo Jr. | Jennifer Pedersen | Paraneck Stable | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:50.68 | $500,000 | II | [33] |
Spiral Stakes | |||||||||
2002 | Perfect Drift | Eddie Delahoussaye | Murray W. Johnson | Stonecrest Farm | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:48.83 | $500,000 | II | [34] |
2001 | Balto Star | Mark Guidry | Todd A. Pletcher | Anstu Stable | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:47.23 | $600,000 | II | [35] |
2000 | Globalize | Francisco C. Torres | Jerry Hollendorfer | Jerry Hollendorfer, Howard Litt & George Todaro | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:49.16 | $600,000 | II | [36] |
Galleryfurniture.com Stakes | |||||||||
1999 | Stephen Got Even | Shane Sellers | Nicholas P. Zito | Stephen Hilbert | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:49.03 | $750,000 | II | [37] |
Jim Beam Stakes | |||||||||
1998 | Event of the Year | Russell Baze | Jerry Hollendorfer | Golden Eagle Farm | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:47.00 | $600,000 | II | [38] |
1997 | Concerto | Carlos H. Marquez Jr. | John J. Tammaro III | Kinsman Stable | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:48.20 | $600,000 | II | [39] |
1996 | Roar | Mike E. Smith | Claude R. McGaughey III | Claiborne Farm & Adele B. Dilschneider | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:49.60 | $600,000 | II | [40] |
1995 | ƒ Serena's Song | Corey Nakatani | D. Wayne Lukas | Bob & Beverly Lewis | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:49.60 | $600,000 | II | [41] |
1994 | Polar Expedition | Curt C. Bourque | Hugh H. Robertson | James B. Cody | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:49.00 | $600,000 | II | [42] |
1993 | Prairie Bayou | Chris McCarron | Thomas K. Bohannan | Loblolly Stable | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:50.80 | $600,000 | II | [43] |
1992 | Lil E. Tee | Pat Day | Lynn S. Whiting | W. Cal Partee | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:53.40 | $500,000 | II | [44] |
1991 | Hansel | Jerry D. Bailey | Frank L. Brothers | Lazy Lane Farm | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:46.60 | $500,000 | II | [45] |
1990 | Summer Squall | Pat Day | Neil J. Howard | Dogwood Stable | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:49.40 | $500,000 | II | [46] |
1989 | Western Playboy | Pat Day | Harvey L. Vanier | Nancy Vanier | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:49.00 | $500,000 | II | [47] |
1988 | Kingpost | Eugene J. Sipus Jr. | Dianne Carpenter | Mark Warner | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:50.80 | $500,000 | II | [48] |
1987 | J. T.'s Pet | Pat Day | Lynn S. Whiting | W. Cal Partee | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:42.80 | $500,000 | III | [49] |
1986 | Broad Brush | Vincent Bracciale Jr. | Richard W. Small | Robert E. Meyerhoff | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:44.20 | $350,000 | III | [50] |
1985 | Banner Bob | K. Keith Allen | Jerome J. Sarner Jr. | Sharon E. & William J. Walsh | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:42.00 | $350,000 | III | [51] |
1984 | At the Threshold | Pat Day | Lynn S. Whiting | W. Cal Partee | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:42.80 | $300,000 | III | [52] |
Spiral Stakes | |||||||||
1983 | Marfa | Jorge Velasquez | D. Wayne Lukas | Barry Beal, Robert French Jr. & D. Wayne Lukas | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:42.40 | $233,500 | [53] | |
1982 | Good n' Dusty | Michael Moran | Jasper Adams | Larry R. Lehmann | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:44.60 | $188,500 | [54] | |
1981 | Mythical Ruler | Keith Wirth | Fred V. Wirth | Al Risen Jr. & Paxton Price | 1 mile | 1:38.00 | $60,350 | [55] | |
1980 | Major Run | Mark S. Sellers | William E. Adams | Golden Chance Farm | 1 mile | 1:36.60 | $31,025 | Division 1 [56] | |
Spruce Needles | Julio C. Espinoza | William E. Adams | Golden Chance Farm | 1:37.20 | $31,025 | Division 2 [57] | |||
1979 | Lot o' Gold | Don Brumfield | William E. Adams | Frederick E. Lehmann | 1 mile | 1:37.60 | $48,000 | [58] | |
1978 | Five Star General | Julio C. Espinoza | William E. Adams | Robert N. Lehmann | 1 mile | 1:38.80 | $21,000 | Division 1 [59] | |
Raymond Earl | Julio C. Espinoza | William E. Adams | Golden Chance Farm | 1:37.80 | $21,600 | Division 2 [60] | |||
1977 | Smiley's Dream | W. Destefano | William E. Adams | Golden Chance Farm | 1 mile | 1:39.40 | $21,312 | Division 1 [61] | |
Bob's Dusty | Julio C. Espinoza | William E. Adams | Robert N. Lehmann | 1:38.80 | $21,362 | Division 2 [62] | |||
1976 | Inca Roca | William Nemeti | Albert T. Skinner | Charles Raymond Jarrell | 1 mile | 1:37.40 | $31,300 | [63] | |
1975 | Naughty Jake | German Vasquez | Jake Bachelor | Mildred Bachelor | 1 mile | 1:40.00 | $26,400 | Division 1 [64] | |
Ambassador's Image | Eddie Snell | Donald L. Ball | Donamire Farm | 1:38.40 | $26,450 | Division 2 [65] | |||
1974 | King of Rome | Keith Wirth | Fred V. Wirth | Fred V. Wirth | 1 mile | 1:45.40 | $18,575 | Division 1 [66] | |
Aglorite | John Beech Jr. | Rose Bramble | August Muckler | 1:44.60 | $18,675 | Division 2 [67] | |||
1973 | Jacks Chevron | Billy Phelps | Carl Sitgraves | W. C. Hines & Mrs. Carl Sitgraves | 1 mile | 1:41.00 | $16,207 | Division 1 [68] | |
Bootlegger's Pet | Mickey Solomone | Charles C. Patrick | Charles C. Patrick, G. McGinnis & V. Victor | 1:42.00 | $16,107 | Division 2 [69] | |||
1972 | Big Dot | Jim Murchison | James Eckrosh | Everett Lowrance | 1 mile | 1:38.80 | $11,525 | [70] |
Legend:
All Weather Track Dirt
Notes:
ƒ Filly
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