Racing! Steaks or stakes, you decide (English teachers beware)

Hello, my name is John Cherwa and welcome back to our horse racing newsletter as we learn what you think about a Turfway marketing campaign.

We challenged you readers to let us know what you thought about the Jeff Ruby Steaks as opposed to stakes. From the reaction, the majority likes it.

But first, if you want to know more about Jeff Ruby, who is not related to Jack Ruby, (if you have to ask, move on) here’s a great Q&A with Jeff in Larry Simpson’s PONIES 24-7 online magazine. There is also an extensive interview with Mike Smith. Take a look. Read it here.

Final thought on Jeff. He’s known around Louisville for refusing to serve O.J. Simpson at his Louisville restaurant before the 2007 Kentucky Derby. He also banned Donald Trump from his establishment during the Super Tuesday primary in Kentucky.

As my boss, Houston Mitchell, Times sports newsletter editor and author of Dodgers’ Dugout, likes to ask. “So, you’re taking the day off by letting your readers write the newsletter for you?”

Yup.

Take it away, folks. (I did do some editing for clarity, grammar and keeping us out of trouble.)

“I think it’s great that Turfway Park is throwing a bit of humor into racing in a time when we need to hear a joke or two. If anything, it distracts from all the negative you hear out of the horse racing world.”

Amber Woodyard

“Jeff Ruby Steaks? Tasteless”

Carolyn Sherry

“I agree this is somewhat of a quandary. No one wants an over commercialization of a historic and time-honored sport, and other professional sports do put a limitation on this. On the other hand, horse racing is in decline and needs financial support in the form of such sponsorships. There are already major races with corporate names attached. I think the use of ‘steaks’ is just a one-time play on words and is somewhat humorous. I think it is a stretch that people will equate steaks with the fact that horses are sometimes sold for meat.”

Len Willschick

“A little levity once in a while is perhaps what we need. Our society is losing its sense of humor and is taking political correctness to an extreme. When I first saw the name for the race my first thought was why are they naming a race for Jack Ruby. Then I looked closer and saw ‘Jeff.’ Jack Ruby was known for going the race track and had an interest in supper clubs, so perhaps this will excuse my ridiculous reaction and thoughts.”

Rey Hernandez

“I’m on board. The thought of horse meat has never occurred to me while enjoying a NY Strip at a racetrack, though that may change now (thanks a bunch). The commercialization of the event is not as egregious as if the race was named the 1st National Bank Stakes, and Ruby has long been a sponsor and supporter of the sport, so I agree that it’s clever, we shouldn’t take matters too seriously, and if it somehow attracts more attendance and handle, not to mention another appealing purse for connection and entrants, then the end justifies the means.”

Aaron Bernstein

“Love a good pun. Once. And that's the problem. Plus, your observation re: horse steak is on point. And made me laugh again. So, this reader doesn't mind it once. But I fear what could follow.”

Chip Ossman

“Why not? Turfway Park didn't have much at steak. Hopefully, Lone Star won't run a Jack Ruby Steaks.”

Andy Mosley

“ ‘Stakes’ always reminds me of how many blood-sucking vampires there are in horse racing draining the life out of the sport and my bankroll. So, no, calling a race a ‘steaks’ doesn't bother me.”

James Shepherd

“The Jeff Ruby Steaks is preferable to the not too distant future ‘Yum Brands 1/2 Pole by Pizza Hut, 1/4 Pole by KFC, 1/8 Pole by Taco Bell’s Kentucky Derby raced at Jim Beam’s Churchill Downs’”

Bernie Sharkey

“I was irritated by the idea that ‘steaks’ could have referred to horse meat. The promoters could have kept the commercial aspect of the stakes race by calling it ‘Jeff Ruby Steaks Stakes’ thereby making clear that the horses were not about to be turned into steaks. I am pleased that it bothered you enough to discuss it because it irks me tremendously.”

Carolyn Roy

“Why not? It’s good clean fun. Maybe we can have a battle of the steak house winners if other steak houses join in.”

Frank Kern

“Whatever promotion Turfway can use to fill their Steaks Races with some decent horses is good for horse racing.”

Steve Manner

“How about this compromise: ‘The Jeff Ruby Steaks Stakes - No We Don’t Stutter’ ”

Hank Wesch

“I agree we should not take ourselves so seriously. The first connection in my mind is Steaks instead of Stakes. That’s enough. If you are digging deeper for connections, you are contriving one that is buried under a few layers of subtext. I applaud Turfway. This is entertainment, not a politically correct PETA marketing communication.”

James Iacono

“I have no problem with the name or the sponsorship. The more money from any source that can be infused into the game the better. In fact, I don't think horse racing takes enough advantage of ‘naming opportunities.’ Look at the NFL where everything from the stadium down to instant replays has a sponsor attached. So, for next year Turfway Park should talk to a local distillery about sponsoring the Bourbonette. It could become something like the ‘Maker's Mark Bourbon Neat.’”

James Bastian

“I agree with you on all points you listed that the ‘Jack Ruby Steaks’ name is a little offensive as well as silly. I get tired of this commercialization. It actually took me a day or so to figure out that it was a race at Turfway as opposed to some sort of event.

“It reminded me of the several years we had to endure ‘Kentucky Derby presented by YUM brands!’ in any sentence where the Derby was mentioned. It drove me crazy. As to this race awarding Derby points; it too is ridiculous. Great race for turf pedigrees run on synthetic but a not for a dirt race.”

Shelby Neal

“I think the name ‘Steaks’ is tasteless and don't believe the ad agency will win any awards for the title change.”

Sinatra Jeter

“I’m so glad you Lightened up on the Steaks vs Stakes pun. I thought it was clever and funny.”

Antoinette Lane

“Steaks instead of Stakes is a very bad idea. Let’s not go down that road of what becomes of the average race horse when he is done racing.”

Spence Beard

“When I saw the sign, The Jeff Ruby Steaks, I was thinking, ‘that's pretty clever.’ I'm guessing all the jockey pants in the world do not add up to the publicity ole Jeff got out of that race. It's probably the Jeff Ruby Steaks Stakes is my guess. But I could be misteakin. I certainly would not steak my reputation on it. Speaking of steak, I like mine rare, and I'm so hungry I could eat a … never mind.”

David Simoni

Santa Anita Derby update

If the anticipated rematch of McKinzie and Bolt D’Oro in the Santa Anita Derby isn’t enough incentive to get excited about it, trainer Bob Baffert told Ed Golden of Santa Anita that Solomini is also slated to run in that race. Solomini finished second in the Rebel Stakes on Saturday at Oaklawn.

The last time McKinzie and Solomini raced each other was the Los Alamitos Futurity, where Solomini crossed the finish line first but was disqualified for interfering with Instilled Regard in deep stretch. Here’s the race if you want to watch. McKinzie was awarded the win.

Well, according to Golden, Instilled Regard, for Jerry Hollendorfer, is also a possibility for the Santa Anita Derby as is Shivermetimbers. This is shaping up to be a can’t miss race on April 7. In fact, all the remaining preps are top shelf. But, more on that next week.

Santa Anita review

Madame Dancealot won Sunday’s Grade 2 $200,000 Santa Ana Stakes (not steaks) over 1 1/8 miles on the turf. The 4-year-old filly, under a masterful ride by Corey Nakatani, went last to first to win by ½ length. What made the win even more impressive were the slow pace of the race (24.78, 49.00), which usually favors front runners.

Midnight Crossing, at 11-1, finished second followed by Sassy Little Lila, who set the pace. Madam Dancealot, the favorite, paid $4.60, $3.20 and $2.20 for trainer Richard Baltas.

“I saw Corey coming up the rail and I said ‘Don’t get her stopped.’” Baltas said. “I never would have thought she could have gone this far when we first got her, but she’s really changed. She still hasn’t won a Grade I, but she’s been knocking on the door.”

Nakatani had confidence in the in the filly’s ability to get up in time.

“There was no concern whatsoever about getting there in time,” Nakatani said. “I always get on her and know what she’s capable of doing…. I thought it would play into my favor today.”

Big races review

A look at graded stakes or races worth more $100,000 or more on Sunday.

Santa Anita: Grade 2 $200,000 Santa Ana Stakes, fillies and mares 4 and up, 1 1/8 miles on turf. Winner: Madam Dancealot ($4.60)

Final thought

Still looking to jump the circulation of this newsletter. Can’t beat the price. If you like it, tell someone. If you don’t like it, then you’re probably not reading this. Either way, send to a friend and just have them click here and sign up. Remember, it’s free, and all we need is your email, nothing more.

Any thoughts, drop me an email at johnacherwa@gmail.com or feed my ego by following me on Twitter @jcherwa

Now, here are the stars of the show, Sunday’s results. We’ll be back on Thursday.

EMPRESS RULES bobbled at the start, chased off the rail on the backstretch and turn, came out into the stretch, rallied under urging to the front a sixteenth out and won clear. JUST BE HELD had good early speed and dueled between horses then outside a rival on the turn, inched away into the stretch, could not match the winner in the final sixteenth but was clearly second best. ROYAL ASTRONOMER prompted the pace four wide then stalked off the rail on the turn, came four wide into the stretch, was between rivals in midstretch, drifted in and bested the others. DEL MAR DIVA went up inside to duel for the lead, fought back leaving the turn and weakened in the drive. MINING DIAMONDS dueled three deep between horses then stalked off the rail on the turn, came three wide into the stretch and also weakened. TIZ MI HAINA chased outside a rival then off the rail, angled in some leaving the turn and had little left for the stretch.

WHERE'S THE D sped to the early lead, set the pace inside then dueled along the rail, fought back inside in the stretch and held on gamely under urging. HONOR MAKER saved ground stalking the pace, went between horses leaving the second turn and three deep into the stretch, bid three wide in midstretch, drifted in some and battled outside the winner in deep stretch but could not get by, returned bleeding from the nostrils and was walked off. JILL MADDEN had speed outside the winner then stalked off the rail, bid alongside that one on the backstretch and second turn, fought back between foes in midstretch and held third. ROSIE MY ROSIE three deep early, chased outside a rival, continued three wide leaving the second turn and four wide into the stretch and lacked the needed rally. VERONICA BAY between horses early, angled in and chased inside, came out into the stretch and also lacked the necessary late kick.

CRAZY UNCLE RICK angled in and dueled outside the runner-up, took a short lead on the turn, inched away in midstretch and drew off under a brisk hand ride. NOVA had good early speed and dueled inside, fought back on the turn and into the stretch, could not match the winner in the final furlong but clearly held second. IMPERIAL LEGACY a bit slow to begin, stalked a bit off the rail then inside on the turn, came out a bit in the stretch and held third. EARNEDNEVERGIVEN broke slowly, settled off the rail then outside a rival on the turn and into the stretch and lacked a response in the stretch.

SHIFTY DANCER bumped between horses at the break, had speed inside and set a pressured pace along the rail, inched away leaving the second turn, drifted in a bit in midstretch, kicked clear and held under left handed urging. BLACK SITE broke out and bumped a rival, angled in approaching the first turn, chased inside, cut the corner into the stretch, was in a bit tight off the heels of the winner in midstretch, came out for room and held second. TOUCHDOWN U S C bumped at the start, chased inside then outside a rival on the second turn, came three deep into the stretch and was edged for the place. GRAY ADMIRAL broke out and bumped the winner, steadied off the heels of the runner-up in the run to the first turn, chased inside, moved up along the rail in the stretch and lacked the needed late kick. ZIPPY GROOM pulled between foes then chased a bit off the rail or outside a rival, came three wide into the stretch and could not offer the necessary late response. RISKY PROPOSITION bumped at the start, pressed the pace three deep, stalked outside a rival leaving the second turn, came three wide into the stretch, drifted in from the whip and was briefly in tight in midstretch and weakened. BOB'S ALL IN had good early speed and dueled between horses then outside the winner on the second turn and weakened in the drive. SHACKALOV bumped at the start, pressed the pace four wide, dropped back on the second turn, came three deep into the stretch, gave way and was eased in the final furlong. Following a claim of foul by the rider of GRAY ADMIRAL against BLACK SITE, the latter was disqualified and placed fourth for interference approaching the first turn.

DIZZY DIVA stalked outside then three deep into the turn, continued outside a rival on the turn, came three wide into the stretch, bid outside the runner-up under urging past midstretch and got up nearing the wire. YALLA had good early speed and dueled inside, inched away in the stretch, fought back in deep stretch and was edged late. MAGICALCHIC angled in and chased inside throughout and got up along the rail for the show. ANGELA'S ROSE stalked off the rail then between foes into the turn, continued outside a rival on the turn and three wide into the stretch and was edged for third. SONNET'S JOY sent between horses early, dueled between foes then outside the runner-up on the turn, continued between rivals into the stretch and weakened. RADIO CHATTER pressed the pace outside a rival then dueled three deep, stalked off the rail on the turn and into the stretch and also weakened.

SPECTATOR had speed inside then bid between horses to duel for the lead, staked just off the rail into the turn, bid again outside the leader leaving the turn and between horses into the stretch, drifted in and fought back under urging in the final furlong to gain the advantage a sixteenth out and gamely prevailed. YUVETSI went up to press the pace three deep then stalked outside a rival on the turn, re-bid three wide into the stretch, gained a short lead, also drifted in and battled outside the winner through the final furlong and was outgamed late. PHANTOM PROTON a half step slow to begin, saved ground stalking the pace, came out into the stretch and bested the others. MS WAKAYA stalked between horses on the backstretch, dropped back off the rail on the turn, came out in the stretch and lacked a rally. SHE'S NO DRAMA bobbled slightly at the start but broke on top, sped to a clear early lead and angled in, dueled inside, inched away into the turn, fought back inside leaving the turn and into the stretch, then weakened. DIS SMART CAT stalked three deep then outside on the turn, came three wide into the stretch and also weakened.

QUALITY LINE stalked off the rail then outside on the turn, was fanned four wide into the stretch ,bid outside the leader in midstretch, gained the advantage past the eighth pole and inched away late under urging. TONY BLACKJACK saved ground chasing the pace, came out into the stretch and again in midstretch and gained the place late. HOFFENHEIM chased three deep then outside on the turn, came three wide into the stretch and got up for the show four wide on the line. STRINGENT had speed a bit off the rail then dueled inside, inched away into the turn, drifted out into the stretch, fought back off the rail in the drive, drifted in some late and was edged for a minor share between foes on the wire. GRAZEN SKY came in after the start, stalked outside then off the rail on the turn, came out into the stretch and split rivals on the line. TINA'S EXCHANGE dueled outside a rival then stalked on the turn, was fanned three deep into the stretch, angled to the inside in midstretch and was outfinished for a minor share. ELWOOD J sent inside early, saved ground stalking the pace and weakened in the stretch. ROYAL OPERA HOUSE (IRE) steadied in tight after the start, chased between horses, dropped back off the rail on the turn, came out into the stretch and gave way.

MADAM DANCEALOT (IRE) saved ground off the pace, came out a bit in upper stretch, split rivals in midstretch, angled out and surged under left handed urging to get up three wide nearing the line. MIDNIGHT CROSSING (IRE) angled in and stalked off the rail, bid outside the pacesetter into and on the second turn and in the stretch, put a head in front in deep stretch and was edged between foes late. SASSY LITTLE LILA sped to the early lead outside then angled in, set the pace along the rail, fought back into and on the second turn and through the stretch and continued gamely to the end. LUCY DE angled in and saved ground chasing the pace, continued a bit off the rail into and on the second turn and into the stretch and lacked the needed late kick. HOW UNUSUAL chased outside a rival then between horses on the backstretch and second turn, came out some in the stretch and could not offer the necessary late response. MAJESTIC ANGEL between rivals early, angled in and pulled her way along inside, saved ground chasing the pace throughout and also lacked the needed rally. EVO CAMPO (IRE) drifted out into the first turn, chased outside a rival then three deep on the backstretch and second turn, drifted four wide into the stretch, drifted in some in the drive and did not rally. LASEEN (IRE) broke with the field then refused to run and was pulled up just after the start and walked off. The stewards conducted an inquiry into the run after the break before ruling LASEEN was the cause of her own trouble.

DONUT GIRL stalked three deep, bid outside the leader leaving the turn and into the stretch, took the advantage nearing midstretch and inched away late under some left handed urging and strong handling. PAPRIKA broke slowly, settled inside, came out on the turn and four wide into the stretch and gained the place. CHAMPAGNE HONEY sped to the early lead off the inside, dueled three deep then inched away on the turn, fought back off the rail leaving the turn and past midstretch and bested the others. FULL COURT bobbled and bumped with a rival at the start, chased outside, went four wide on the turn and five wide into the stretch and lacked a rally. SWEET MARIA steadied between horses early, stalked between foes, went four wide leaving the turn and three deep into the stretch and weakened. WHATYOUCISWHATUGET stalked then bid between foes to duel for the lead, stalked again between horses on the turn, angled in some into the stretch and also weakened. I ADORE YOU saved ground stalking the pace, continued inside on the turn and in the stretch and also weakened. A LITTLE ROMANCE had speed to duel a bit off the rail then stalked on the turn, dropped back between foes leaving the turn and had little left for the stretch. BOOM BOOM BANGO threw her head and hopped in a slow start, chased outside then broke down and unseated the rider on the backstretch and was vanned off. The stewards conducted an inquiry into the run on the backstretch before ruling BOOM BOOM BANGO broke down on her own.