Throughout Turfway Park's trail to the Kentucky Derby (G1) this winter, Fulleffort could never be accused of lacking effort as his deep-closing kicks came up just short. On March 21, that effort was finally rewarded in full as the added distance for the 1 1/8-mile race allowed him to soar to victory in the Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3).
Some concern was had in the lead-up to the $777,000 race as the Brad Cox-trained Liam's Map colt's scheduled rider, Irad Ortiz Jr., was off his mounts earlier in the week after a March 12 spill at Gulfstream Park. However, the five-time Eclipse Award winner eased those concerns with a pair of victories earlier in the card.
Wearing the silks of St. Elias Stable, which co-owns the horse with Starlight Racing, Ortiz eased back as Fulleffort broke from post 2. Unlike in the Leonatus Stakes or John Battaglia Memorial Stakes where he raced near last early, Ortiz kept Fulleffort in touch with the field. After fractions of :23.18, :47.16, and 1:11.34, Fulleffort was only 3 1/2 lengths off the pace at the five-sixteenths pole.
In the new position of only having one horse, Stark Contrast, to pass entering the stretch, Fulleffort would not be a runner-up for a third straight time. He powerfully kicked on down the lane to the tune of a 2 1/2-length victory in 1:49.94, paying $5.82 to win as the favorite.
"He has a strong closing kick," Ortiz told Turfway publicity. "I knew he'd come with his best run and he handled stretching out in distance really well. I think he'll continue to improve."
Stark Contrast finished second, 3 1/2 lengths clear of Medici in third.
A joyous winner's circle would ensue as connections celebrated Fulleffort's first graded victory. Jack Wolf of Starlight Racing said the win felt extra rewarding.
"It's sort of weird, we've been in a lot of big races, and I never doubted from the position Irad had him in the whole time," Wolf told BloodHorse. "Then he just started lengthening his stride when he made his move. He's a very good horse."
As part of the Road to the Kentucky Derby, the top five finishers received qualifying points on a 100-50-25-15-10 scale. Those 100 points guarantee Fulleffort a spot in the Churchill Downs starting gate May 2 should connections take it.
When Jeff Ruby himself asked Wolf in the winner's circle if the horse will go to the Derby, Wolf said excitedly, "What do you think?"
Fulleffort has never raced on dirt, going 2-for-4 on turf to begin his career before his trio of Tapeta stakes runs at Turfway. However, all of his breezes in Kentucky last year through October came on dirt. Should he take to the surface in a race, the 1 1/4-mile distance of the Derby should work in his favor.
"The thing that he proved today, regardless of the surface, is the farther the better," Wolf said.
Fulleffort is out of the multiple stakes-winning Awesome Again mare Callmethesqueeze, making him a half brother to 2024 Alabama Stakes (G1) winner Power Squeeze. Bred in Kentucky by Athens Woods, he was purchased by his owners for $425,000 out of the Eaton Sales consignment at Fasig-Tipton's The Saratoga Sale in 2024.
He is the first graded stakes winner this season for Liam's Map, who stands at Lane's End for $50,000 in 2026.
