Handicapper's Corner: 2026 Ruffian Stakes (G2)

 Picks 'N Plays for the Ruffian Stakes

By:  MaryJo Moncheski, ThoroFan Handicapper

Saturday’s Grade 2 Ruffian Stakes at Belmont at the Big A was named in honor of the tragic black heroine. Once a prestigious Grade 1 event at 1 1/8 miles, the Ruffian has been watered down to a Grade 2 at a mile.

This year, seven older fillies and mares will enter the starting gate at 4:09 PM ET. Let’s review the field.

 

For this very short field, there isn’t a point in picking a superfecta, so I went with just the trifecta. When fields are 7 horses or less, you’re not going to make much on the superfecta, especially if a horse ends up scratching. My trifecta includes longshot Dry Powder, Eumonia, and Irish Maxima.

#7 Dry Powder to Win

I really like Dry Powder with Trainer Chad Summers, even though she just ran last week in the G1La Troienne  where she finished ninth. She has had decent workouts leading up to the La Troienne so it makes me wonder if that was a prep race for the Ruffian. When you consider Jockey Kazushi Kimura is aboard and the fact she won at this distance at Belmont at the Big A twice, I think she has a good chance. She has come back in form after a layoff, so maybe this is the race she was always meant to run.

#3 Eunomia to Place

I went with #3 Eunomia to place mostly because I think she will be a heavy favorite with Jockey Tyler Gaffalione. In December, she came back to form after a few months off to win a $32k Optional Claiming Race at Tampa Bay Downs. Since then, her form and speed have been pretty consistent at various distances, including a mile. Her last race out in the Keeneland Baird Doubledog Dare G2 she lost by just a neck. I think she has what it takes to go to the front with Dry Powder.

#6 Irish Maxima to Show

I liked #6 Irish Maxima over #5 Inefficiency because she has proven herself more after a layoff. She was off from August 30, 2025 to February 21, 2026 and came back to finish in the money on slop at Aqueduct. She has been consistent in getting back to form, winning her last two races. I am not sure how she will do going back up to a harder class, but with the small field, she has a good chance.

My Bets:

$10 to win on #7

$2 exacta box 7-3

.50 trifecta box 7-3-6