(Former rider Francisco Torres is now helping out new hand, 3YO colt Poster / Photo by Coady Media)

RETIRED JOCKEY FRANCISCO TORRES BACK IN SPOTLIGHT AS EXERCISE RIDER TO JEFF RUBY STEAKS FAVORITE POSTER

FLORENCE, Ky. (Friday, March 21, 2025) – Nearly 25 years after guiding Globalize to victory in the Jeff Ruby Steaks (Grade III) at Turfway Park, retired jockey Francisco Torres is once again playing a key role in one of the biggest races of the meet, this time as an exercise rider to 3-1 morning line favorite Poster.

Torres, now working as a jockey agent and exercise rider, has been a crucial part of trainer Eoin Harty’s team in the development of Poster, the favorite in Saturday’s $777,000 Jeff Ruby Steaks. The race, formerly known as the Spiral Stakes when Torres won in 2000, is a key stop on the Road to the Kentucky Derby.

Poster, a chestnut son of Munnings owned by Godolphin, won the Remsen Stakes (GII) last fall at Aqueduct and most recently finished third in the Sam F. Davis Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs. He has been based at Turfway Park throughout the winter, with Torres aboard for nearly all his major morning works.

“You can see physically his development from age 2 to 3,” Torres said. “He’s come along very well in his training.”

Torres retired from riding in 2017 following a 30-year career that included 3,194 victories and more than $68 million in purse earnings. He won riding titles at Arlington Park, Ellis Park and was the leading rider at Turfway Park in 1999.

“That was a really fun day when we won the Spiral,” Torres said. “I can’t believe it’s been that long since then but I still remember Globalize this day for trainer Jerry Hollendorfer.”

The Jeff Ruby Steaks field from the rail out (with jockey and trainer):

  • Calling Card (Adam Beschizza, Mike Maker, 20-1)
  • Charlie’s to Blame (Hernandez, Eurton, 15-1)
  • California Burrito (Irving Moncada, Tom Drury Jr., 7-2)
  • Final Gambit (Luan Machado, Brad Cox, 6-1)
  • Flying Mohawk (Joe Ramos, Whit Beckman, 15-1)
  • Baby Max (Abel Cedillo, Kelsey Danner, 5-1)
  • Giocoso (Jaime Torres, Keith Desormeaux, 30-1)
  • Innovator (Nik Juarez, Wayne Lukas 30-1)
  • Poster (John Velazquez, Harty, 3-1)
  • Maximum Promise (Frankie Dettori, Kenny McPeek, 5-1)
  • Curvino (Gerardo Corrales, Peter Miller 20)
  • He’s Not Joking (Rafael Hernandez, Josie Carroll, 15-1)
  • AE: Candytown (Velazquez, Pletcher, 30-1)

The Jeff Ruby Steaks is carded as Race 12 of 13, with a post time of 6:25 p.m. (all times Eastern). First post is 12:45 p.m.

KRISTUFEK, KILROY PROVIDE SUGGESTED BAYOU BLUEGRASS 5 TICKETS – Fair Grounds Race Course and Turfway Park are teaming up Saturday to offer bettors a special $1 Pick 5 featuring an all-stakes lineup anchored by the $1 million TwinSpires.com Louisiana Derby (GII) and the $777,000 Jeff Ruby Steaks (GIII).

Dubbed as the “Bayou Bluegrass 5”, the sequence includes the $500,000 New Orleans Classic presented by Relyne GI by Hagyard (GII), the $300,000 Bourbonette Oaks (Listed), the $400,000 Fasig-Tipton Fair Grounds Oaks (GII), the Jeff Ruby Steaks and the TwinSpires.com Louisiana Derby.

Fair Grounds racing analysts Joe Kristufek and Kevin Kilroy have put together suggested tickets to help guide horseplayers to a winning bet.

         

Kristufek’s $72 ticket:

  • New Orleans Classic: Touchuponastar (5) and Sierra Leone (7)
  • Bourbonette Oaks: Resolve (1), Admit (3) and Will Then (12)
  • Fair Grounds Oaks: Ahava (3), Her Laugh (5) and Good Cheer (7)
  • Jeff Ruby Steaks: Flying Mohawk (5) and Poster (9)
  • Louisiana Derby: Vassimo (7) and Hypnus (10)

          Kilroy’s $80 ticket:

  • New Orleans Classic: Sierra Leone (7)
  • Bourbonette Oaks: Somethinabouther (2), Admit (3), Zealous Moon (4) and Bless the Broken (5)
  • Fair Grounds Oaks: Good Cheer (7)
  • Jeff Ruby Steaks: Flying Mohawk (5), Baby Max (6), Innovator (8), Maximum Promise (10) and Curvino (11)
  • Louisiana Derby: Built (6), Vassimo (7), Instant Replay (9) and Hypnus (10)

Bettors can take part in the Bayou Bluegrass 5 at wagering outlets across the country, including www.TwinSpires.com, the official wagering provider of Churchill Downs Incorporated.