Final Gambit Goes Last to First in Jeff Ruby Steaks

[Wandering Eyes]

Juddmonte homebred Final Gambit (c, 3, Not This Time–Pachinko, by Tapit), a last-to-first maiden winner at third asking at Turfway Park Feb. 15, ran by them all once again with a 15-1 upset in Saturday's GIII Jeff Ruby Steaks, good for 100 points on the road to the GI Kentucky Derby. Flying Mohawk (Karakontie {Jpn}) was second; Maximum Promise (Maximum Security) was third. The final time for 1 1/8 miles was 1:50.10.

Final Gambit becomes the 23rd graded/45 stakes winner worldwide for Not This Time. The winning Tapit mare Pachinko, a half-sister to G1SW Announce (GB) (Selkirk), is also responsible for the 2-year-old filly Conceit (Not This Time) and a yearling filly by Justify. She was bred to Mage for 2025. Final Gambit is bred on the same Not This Time x Pulpit cross as Sibelius, winner of 2023 G1 Dubai Golden Shaheen. Juddmonte and trainer Brad Cox also campaign Not This Time's unbeaten GIII Lecomte Stakes winner Disco Time.

 

Final Gambit puts himself on the @kentuckyderby leaderboard after a big performance in the G3 Jeff Ruby Steaks at @turfwaypark at 15/1! @luanmachado85 had the mount for trainer @bradcoxracing and owner @JuddmonteFarms!

TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/WkhtdxokRR

— TwinSpires Racing (@TwinSpires) March 22, 2025

Saturday, Turfway Park
JEFF RUBY STEAKS-GIII, $776,364, Turfway, 3-22, 3yo, 1 1/8m (AWT), 1:50.10, ft.
1–FINAL GAMBIT, 123, c, 3, by Not This Time
         1st Dam: Pachinko, by Tapit
         2nd Dam: Hachita, by Gone West
         3rd Dam: Choice Spirit, by Danzig
1ST BLACK TYPE WIN, 1ST GRADED STAKES WIN. O/B-Juddmonte (KY); T-Brad H. Cox; J-Luan Machado. $446,400. Lifetime Record: 4-2-1-1, $520,639. Werk Nick Rating: A+++. *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree or free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Flying Mohawk, 123, c, 3, Karakontie (Jpn)–Bonbons Fleur, by Twirling Candy. 1ST BLACK TYPE, 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE. ($25,000 Wlg '22 KEENOV; $72,000 Ylg '23 KEESEP). O-Two Eight Racing, Berry Family Racing LLC and Kaleta Racing; B-John O'Meara (KY); T-D. Whitworth Beckman. $148,800.
3–Maximum Promise, 123, c, 3, Maximum Security–Paixao, by Scat Daddy. 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE. ($60,000 Ylg '23 KEESEP). O-Back Racing, LLC and Run for LaRoses, LLC; B-Don Alberto Corporation (KY); T-Kenneth G. McPeek. $74,400.
Margins: 3HF, HF, 3/4. Odds: 15.07, 9.29, 9.92.
Click for the Equibase.com chart or the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.

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