(Trainer Ken McPeek / Coady Photography)

Tiz the Bomb, who was runner-up in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf last November at Del Mar, has brought his A-Game home to Kentucky. On Saturday, the 3YO colt — ridden to perfection by jockey Brian Hernandez, Jr. — captured the G3 Jeff Ruby Steaks at Turfway Park and has apparently earned a spot in this year’s Kentucky Derby, if the connections decide to try the dirt again.

Tiz the Bomb — who started the year with a disappointing run in the G3 Holy Bull Stakes over the dirt at Gulfstream Park — covered the Tapeta surface in 1:48.60 for 1 1/8 miles to earn 100 Kentucky Derby qualifying points for trainer Kenny McPeek.

Tawny Port, trained by Brad Cox, came running to pick up 2nd. He had been an expert over the AW surface prior to shipping South. Back in familiar territory, he flashed a powerful kick, as well.

Trainer Quotes:

Ken McPeek — Tiz the Bomb (1st):

“He’s really special,” McPeek is quoted as saying to “The Blood-Horse.”  “He just clicks along. He does his work, he has good energy, eats good, and he’s just a real pleasure to be around.”

“It’s going to be interesting (going forward),” said McPeek. “He didn’t handle the sand in his face in Florida but of course that’s a different surface. From what we do from here on will be interesting; we have a lot of options. I do think he’s a better grass horse than he is a dirt horse. There’s some time and we don’t have to make a decision right away and when we do, we’ll make the best one.”

Jockey Quotes:

Brian Hernandez, Jr. — Tiz the Bomb (1st):

“He was the best horse today,” said Hernandez after the race to “The Blood-Horse.” “We were a little wide but I was never really concerned about it because he was traveling like he was the best horse. When I called on him turning for home he switched leads and went on about his business like we thought he would.”