Throughout Turfway Park's road to the Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve this winter, Fulleffort could never be accused of lacking effort despite his deep-closing efforts coming up just short in second in two previous stakes attempts for trainer Brad Cox. On March 21, that effort was finally rewarded in full as the added distance of 1 1/8 miles allowed Fulleffort to soar to victory in the Grade 3 $777,000 Jeff Ruby Steaks at Turfway Park.

Wearing the silks of St. Elias Stable, who co-own Fulleffort along with Starlight Racing, jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. eased Fulleffort back from post 2 in the 12-horse field. Ortiz then kept Fulleffort in touch with the field behind fractions of :23.18, :47.16, and 1:11.34, and at the five-sixteenths pole, Fulleffort was only 3 1/2 lengths off the pace.

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Only having one horse to pass entering the stretch, Fulleffort would not be a runner-up for a third-straight time. He caught leading Stark Contrast and kicked powerfully down the lane to a 2 1/2-length victory in a final time of 1:49.94. He paid $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."

A joyous winner's circle would ensue as connections celebrated Fulleffort's first graded victory. Jack Wolf of Starlight Racing said the victory 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."

Stark Contrast finished second and was 3 1/2 lengths clear of Medici who finished third.

As part of the Road to the Kentucky Derby, the top five Jeff Ruby finishers received qualifying points on a 100-50-25-15-10 scale for the May 2 run for the roses. Fulleffort's 100 points guarantee him a spot in the Churchill Downs starting gate should connections decide to take it.

When Jeff Ruby himself asked Wolf in the winner's circle if they'd go to the Derby, he said excitedly, "What do you think?"

Fulleffort has never raced on dirt, however, all of his breezes in Kentucky last year through October came on dirt. Should he take to the surface, the 1 1/4-mile distance of the Kentucky Derby should work in his favor.

"The thing that he proved today, regardless of the surface, is the farther the better," Wolf said.