The two-time stakes winner Stark Contrast worked five furlongs in 1:00.80 at Santa Anita on Friday for an intended start in the Grade 3 Jeff Ruby on the synthetic track at Turfway Park on March 21.
The $777,000 Jeff Ruby at 1 1/8 miles will be Stark Contrast’s first start outside of California. Stark Contrast was a comfortable winner of the Eddie Logan Stakes for 3-year-olds at a mile on turf by 2 1/4 lengths at 3-10 on Jan. 8, his last start.
In 2025, Stark Contrast won 2 of 4 starts, including the Grade 3 Zuma Beach Stakes at a mile on turf at Santa Anita in October. He was second by three-quarters of a length to Gstaad in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf at Del Mar on Oct. 31.
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Friday’s workout was the sixth for Stark Contrast since the Logan Stakes.
“He’s a good work horse and trains with a lot of energy,” trainer Michael McCarthy said. “He seems to be going the right way. It’s a good time to take a swing at a big pot.”
Stark Contrast, by Caravaggio, races for owners and breeders John and Jerry Amerna.
Kazushi Kimura is booked to ride Stark Contrast, McCarthy said.
The Ruby is part of the Kentucky Derby qualifying series, with 100, 50, 25, 15, and 10 points available to the first five finishers.
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