He won a race by 20 lengths as a 2-year-old. On April 4, he won the Blue Grass Stakes (G1) by 11 lengths. Make no mistake: Further Ado is no fluke. His stalking style, pedigree (son of Gun Runner) and now a Hall of Fame rider in John Velazquez make this Spendthrift Farm colt one of the strong favorites to win the Kentucky Derby (G1).
Most of us believed we’d see the Spendthrift Farm silks prominently displayed down this year’s Road to the Derby after Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) winner Ted Noffey was honored with the Eclipse Award as 2025’s 2-year-old in January. But when the champion colt was sidelined due to injury earlier this year, Further Ado easily stepped into the Spendthrift spotlight.
The Gun Runner colt, who is out of the Sky Mesa mare Sky Dreamer, was bred in Kentucky by John C. Oxley. He was initially purchased as a yearling for $275,000 and later as a 2-year-old in training for $550,000 at the 2025 OBS April sale. Further Ado’s maiden score in his third out at Keeneland last October where he romped by 20 lengths at 1 1/16 miles was spectacular and he followed it up with a handy score in the Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes (G2) under the Twin Spires to cap his juvenile season.
He had a bit of a bumpy trip to finish second in the Tampa Bay Derby (G3) in his first sophomore start before posting his huge Blue Grass score last out. The chestnut colt had his final major pre-Derby breeze at Churchill Downs on April 17, posting a half-mile in :48.60.
“(It was) really good breeze I thought, well in hand (and) :48 and 2 is what I had, out in I think :12 and 4 and 1:27 on my watch,” trainer Brad Cox said. “Full of energy, (he) galloped out great, (a) very positive move.
“(We) probably won’t look to do much more next week with him just because we’re running him back off four weeks from his big run in the Blue Grass.
“He’s in good order and there could be more left, he’s moving well and his energy is great and his flesh is good, so we’re in a good spot.”
Strike the Gold was the last to sweep the Blue Grass and Derby in 1991.
Further Ado has an Equibase rating of 113, making him one of the top Derby contenders. The rating is just below stablemate Commandment (115), Renegade (115) and Intrepido (114). His top Equibase speed figure is 107 from his 11-length victory in the Blue Grass.
His stalking style should have him just behind the leaders, waiting for the right time to strike and make a winning move he’s shown he’s quite capable of delivering.
It’s hard to overlook how this colt wins when he does. He stalks the speed and pounces, using his tactical turn of foot as a weapon. He is absolutely good enough to win this race and will likely be heavily bet. It’s hard to look away from a win bet or a key on top.
Notes
- Further Ado is undefeated in Kentucky (3-for-3 at Keeneland and Churchill Downs).
- The late B. Wayne Hughes’s Spendthrift Farm is one of the most active and high-profile owners in U.S. racing and breeding and was a co-owner of Authentic, the 2020 Kentucky Derby winner.
- Hall of fame Jockey John Velazquez, who was aboard Authentic in 2020, picks up the mount… he is a three-time Derby winner (Animal Kingdom, 2011; Always Dreaming 2017; and Authentic).
- Louisville native and multiple Eclipse winner Brad Cox is 1-for-12 in the Kentucky Derby, winning with Mandaloun via disqualification in 2021.
The writing team at US Racing is comprised of both full-time and part-time contributors with expertise in various aspects of the Sport of Kings.
